What are Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)?
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are medicines that work by reducing the amount of stomach acid made by the glands in the stomach lining.
PPIs are used to:
- Relieve acid reflux symptoms
- Treat a duodenal or stomach (gastric) ulcer
- Treat lower esophageal damage caused by acid reflux
Brands of PPIs
People should not take over-the-counter (OTC) PPIs for >2 weeks at a time. They should wait at least four months before taking them again.
| Generic name | Brand name examples |
| Rabeprazole | AcipHex |
PPIs are available OTC and in the prescription form:
| Generic name | Brand name examples |
| Omeprazole | Prilosec |
| Esomeprazole | Nexium |
| Lansoprazole | Prevacid |
| Zegerid | omeprazole with sodium bicarbonate |
Side effects of PPIs may vary from drug to drug. Higher dosages and long-term use increase the risk for many complications:
- Common side effects: headache, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, stomach pain, flatulence, rash, vomiting, and fever.
- More severe side effects: kidney problems, heart attacks, bone fractures, and cancers. Other side effects range from vitamin B12 deficiency and low magnesium levels to pneumonia and Lupus erythematosus events.
- Long-term use is associated withchronic kidney disease (CKD).
Thousands of lawsuits are filed over PPIs and approximately 15 million people in the United States use this medication every year.
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