Acid Reflux Pills May Lead to Bone Loss and Hip Fractures

If you have acid reflux and are taking pills for it, this would be of interest to you.

According to a study published in the August 12 edition of the Canadian Medical Association Journal, long term exposure to proton pump inhibitors (PPI) is associated with osteoporosis-related fractures. Commonly known PPIs are Nexium, Prevacid, Prilosec and Protonix.

Doctors studied 60,000 people aged 50 and older who had experienced hip fractures. For people who had been taking acid reflux pills for less than five years, the study found no association with hip fractures. However, at five years of pill usage, the doctors found an association with hip fractures, and a much larger association with seven or more years’ usage of acid reflux pills.

The report indicated that PPIs are believed to inhibit the absorption of calcium in the small intestines, and over time can lead to bone density loss. The published reported indicated “Further study is required to determine whether there are pharmacologic strategies, including the use of calcium supplementation……that can mitigate the risk of fracture”.

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For more information on the study, see:
http://www.cmaj.ca/cgi/content/full/179/4/319

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