Heartburn Meds May Increase Risk of Fractures

According to a study presented at Digestive Disease Week 2009, even short-term use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) may increase the risk of hip fractures in older patients.

As reported in a study published in 2006, results showed the use of PPIs were associated with a greater risk of hip fracture with long-term use of these medications. This new study shows increased risks of hip fractures may occur even sooner, in some cases two years after patients started taking proton pump inhibitors (such as Prevacid, Nexium, Prilosec, Protonix, and Aciphex) and H2 blockers (such as Zantac, Tagamet, Pepcid, and Axid). Dr. Douglas Corley, who led the study, said it appeared even relatively brief periods of use of these medications may be associated with increased risk of hip fractures.

Data from approximately 40,000 patients who were taking these acid-reducing medications was compared to the data from over 130,000 patients who were not taking these medications. The study indicated people aged 50 to 59, and who had been taking these medications for 2 or more years, had the biggest increase in the risk of hip fracture.

According to Dr. Levy, bone expert and PhD, and CEO of Unigene Laboratories, since certain forms of calcium do not dissolve easily in the stomach, and acidic conditions can enhance the dissolution of calcium, it has been suggested that the reduction in stomach acid caused by PPI drugs may result in poor calcium absorption.

What does this mean for those patients who need to take a PPI or H2 blocker? More research needs to be conducted to confirm the findings of these studies. In the meantime, however, if you have osteoporosis or are at risk for it, you should speak to your physician about the use of PPIs and H2 blockers, and how long they should be taken.