FDA Issues Warning About Popular Heartburn Drugs
By: Charlotte Ames
Updated: May 25, 2010
The F.D.A has issued a new warning about the safety of popular drugs for heartburn and acid reflux disease. The agency said the medications called Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) can possibly increase the risk of hip, wrist, and spine fractures and it will require the drug labels to be revised to include this warning.
The greatest increased risk for these fractures was seen in people who receive high doses of these medications or use them for a year or longer.
Proton pump inhibitors work by reducing the amount of acid in the stomach. Nexium, Dexilant, Prilosec, Zegerid, Prevacid, Protonix, Aciphex, and Vimovo are available by prescription to treat conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), stomach and small intestine ulcers, and inflammation of the esophagus.
Prilosec OTC, Zegerid OTC, and Prevacid 24HR are sold over-the-counter for the treatment of frequent heartburn.
The agency advised patients not to stop taking the medications unless they're told to do so by their healthcare professional.
Go here for more information.
