Why you're tripling the risk of developing a deadly disease if you take these heartburn tablets
A new study has found that popular heartburn pills can triple the risk of potentially deadly infections.
The research found that patients on proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) were more likely to fall ill with deadly bugs, including E. coli.
Researchers believe the drugs could be allowing harmful organisms to spread by reducing levels of the stomach acid that normally kills them.
The drugs, including brands like Zanprol, Prevacid and Prilosec, are prescribed to an estimated 55 million patients in England alone.
The tablets work by reducing the production of acid by blocking the enzyme in the wall of the stomach that produces acid.
Microbiologists at Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust studied 126 hospital patients sick with drug resistant bugs called ESBL-enterobacteriae.
These bugs, such as E.coli, occur naturally in the bowel where they do no harm. However, if they escape to other parts of the body they can become life-threatening.
The reports of ESBL-bugs are increasing and don’t respond to commonly-used antibiotics like penicillin.
Patients in the study were asked if they had taken heartburn medicines in the past six months.
The study, published in the Journal of Hospital Infection, found infected patients were three times more like to have taken PPIs than a group of healthy volunteers.
In a report the scientists explained: “PPIs are widely overprescribed and heavily promoted by the pharmaceutical industry.”
“This is the first time this risk factor has been identified in a UK hospital population, and the magnitude is greater than in previous community-based studies.
“Reducing inappropriate use of PPIs may reduce transmission.”
Several studies in recent years have linked over-use of PPIs with stomach cancer, stroke and even reduced sperm count in men.
Despite PPIs only being prescribed for normally four weeks, it’s feared that millions stay on the tablets for years.
Research shows 25 per cent of patients are still on them after a year and four per cent continue on the pills after five years.
Less than half of those who remain on the tablets long-term are advised by doctors to try to come off them.
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