Aside from causing kidney complications, it is now alleged that some antacids carry an increased risk for dementia.
According to a recent study published by the JAMA (Journal of American Medicine Association) ‘neurology’ division, certain antacids; including both proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) and H2 blockers, may speed up the process of cognitive decline in some individuals.
“This finding is supported by recent pharmacoepidemiological analyses on primary data and is in line with mouse models in which the use of PPIs increased the levels of β-amyloid in the brains of mice,” the study further states. “Randomized, prospective clinical trials are needed to examine the connection in more detail.”
According to the study published by JAMA in April 2016, “the avoidance of PPI medication may prevent the development of dementia.”
Linking Antacids with Health Problems
Many antacids are available without a prescription. This means, they are widely-available to all consumers for purchase over-the-counter.
Antacids, or PPIs, can be prescribed for long-term use, or utilized on an as-needed basis. Some medical officials recommend not using antacids for more than four to eight weeks at one time.
Antacids work by altering the acid content in the stomach, which is known to cause heartburn and discomfort.
Another type of health problem linked to antacid use is a type of infection, known as C. difficile.
“C. difficile kills an estimated 14,000 to 30,000 people a year in the United States, federal reports show,” says the Center for Health Reporting.
According to the site, when a young man named Wei Wang, a pharmacy resident at St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Stockton, Calif., began leafing through patient’s charts, he found a startling connection between those with C. difficile and antacids.
He found that 76-percent of patients who contracted the infection C. difficile, had taken one or more of the antacids Nexium, Prevacid and Prilosec. Individuals are now seeking a Nexium Lawsuit Attorney, due to allegations that the popular PPIs may also cause kidney problems.
In the US and some countries, these wonder drugs are available as OTC (over the counter) drugs for treating gastric acid reflux diseases (GERD),” writes These drugs are also prescribed for long-term use in our country. The US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) recommended use of these drugs for 4-8 weeks only,” reports the Hindu Business Times.
http://archneur.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=2487379
https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/patientinstructions/000198.htm
http://archneur.jamanetwork.com/journal.aspx
