There’s a wide range of different brand names and generic designations for all of the PPIs on the market, but here are a few of the more popular names.
- Omeprazole
- Esomeprazole
- Rabeprazole
- Lansoprazole
- Pantoprazole
PPIs alter the stomach’s lining cells to obstruct the stomach’s production of acid.
Doctors typically prescribe PPIs to help people prevent stomach ulcers and reduce the symptoms associated with the overproduction of stomach acid.
While stomach acid is beneficial to your body’s ability to digest food and kill bad bacterias in your gut, it’s also highly corrosive. In most people, the body creates a natural mucous barrier to protect against the stomach’s lining being eroded. For others, however, stomach acid travels up the esophagus and leads to severe heartburn and inflammation of the gullet.
Typical Side Effects of PPIs
The list of side effects associated with PPIs is extensive. Here are a few of the more notable ones:
Joint pain
Headaches/fever
Diarrhea/vomiting
Abdominal pain
Nausea
Inability to absorb nutrients
Problems digesting food
Headaches/fever
Diarrhea/vomiting
Abdominal pain
Nausea
Inability to absorb nutrients
Problems digesting food
While these are some of the common side effects that doctors warn against when starting a patient on PPIs, new scientific studies are starting to prove that these are only the minor ones. The more serious side effects associated with PPIs include an increased risk of developing heart issues, kidney disease, and dementia.
PPI Withdrawals and Alternatives
Due to the gut’s extreme sensitivity, it’s easy for PPIs to throw your stomach out of equilibrium and produce a hormone that compensates by increasing acid production—that’s what makes it difficult for people to stop taking PPIs once they start.
Despite the fact that the FDA still permits pharmaceutical companies and doctors to create and prescribe these drugs, recent evidence suggests that the long-term use of PPIs is incredibly dangerous.
Always start by discussing your options with your doctor—if you’re suffering from acid reflux or stomach ulcers, you can’t stop taking PPIs without first finding an alternative. If you do eventually determine PPIs aren’t for you, it’s vital to come off the drug slowly to avoid symptoms of withdrawal.
While the solution may not be long-term, probiotics and slight changes in your diet can reduce the chances of stomach issues and ensure your digestive tract stays healthy.
Long-Term Use of PPI
Due to the fact that PPIs are available both over-the-counter and through a doctor’s prescription, they’re becoming a common case of the treatment being worse than the illness itself. After discussing the damaging effects of PPI use with your doctors, your best option is to consult an experienced attorney.
Most of the time, going to court is the only way to hold big pharma companies responsible for releasing products without commencing proper testing. At Affinity Legal, we do whatever it takes to ensure our clients are compensated fairly. If you think you might have a case regarding the side effects associated with long-term use of PPIs, don’t hesitate to setup up a consultation.
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