Prilosec, Prevacid, Nexium could increase osteoporosis

August 11, 2008:  from the
Canadian Medical Association Journal

Proton pump inhibitors increase risk of bone fractures

Patients who use proton pump inhibitors for 7 or more years to treat reflux, peptic ulcers and other conditions are at greater risk of osteoporosis-related fractures, according to a large observational study,  of 15,792 patients published in CMAJ.

One medication class that may affect bone mineral metabolism is proton pump inhibitors, according to the study. This class of drugs inhibits the production and intragastric secretion of hydrochloric acid, which is believed to be an important mediator of calcium absorption in the small intestine.

There is specifically an increased risk of hip fracture after 5 years of continuous exposure and an increased risk of any fracture after 7 years continuous exposure. Short-term exposure did not appear to increase risk of fractures.

Proton pump inhibitors — a class of drugs commonly prescribed to control and prevent symptoms and complications of peptic ulcer disease and GERD (reflux) — are widely used by patients for many years.

The study looked at people aged 50 and older who had hip, spinal, or wrist fractures and were matched by a control group with no history of hip, spinal or wrist fractures.

The use of proton pump inhibitors has increased in recent years and use is often of indefinite duration.

"These factors may promote the long-term use of proton pump inhibitors, leaving patients at increased risk of osteoporosis-related fractures," write Dr. Laura Targownik and coauthors.

In a related commentary,  Drs. Brent Richards and David Goltzman comment that three large administrative database studies have found proton pump inhibitors increase fracture risk. They caution that both the physician and patient should together weigh the risks and benefits of the long-term use of these drugs.

Comments

[Nexium Side Effects]

My name is John Diamond and i would like to show you my personal experience with Nexium.

I am 58 years old. I have bee taking Nexium on and off for 2 years. For the last 3 months I have been taking 1-40mg daily. I have been cycling for 10 years riding avg. of 150 miles a week. I noticed this year I had no energy. Was riding 4 to 5 times a week and could hardly go. A fellow rider told me last week about the vitimin B absorbtion problem and other side effects he had from Nexium. I quit the Nexium last week and I could really tell the differance in my energy level. I was riding regularly and watching what I ate but could not see a weight loss. Now I see that others are having the same problems. I had never had the itchy rectum problem in my life untill a couple of months ago, when I started back on the Nexium on a regular basis.

I have experienced some of these side effects-
Fatigue, weight gain, itchy rectum

I hope this information will be useful to others,
John Diamond

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