Common heartburn pills taken by millions ‘increase the risk of stroke by 90%’
The drugs, which include Prevacid, are among the most widely used in the NHS and use has doubled in recent years as the obesity crisis triggers more cases of acid reflux
PILLS taken by millions of Brits for severe heartburn increase stroke risk by up to 90 per cent, a study found.
The drugs, called proton pump inhibitors, are among the most widely used on the NHS.
GPs last year dished out 55million prescriptions for them in England alone.
Use has doubled in recent years because Britain’s obesity epidemic has triggered more cases of acid reflux – the cause of severe heartburn.
They are meant to be taken for a maximum four weeks at a time and work by blocking cells, called proton pumps, which produce stomach acid.
But many patients end up on them for months or even years due to a lack of proper supervision by GPs.
Experts think this long-term use may be harming patients.
Experts at The Danish Heart Foundation in Copenhagen followed 244,000 middle-aged men and women over a six year period.
At one time, proton pump inhibitors were thought to be safe and without major side-effects. We know a lot of people are using them for much longer than indicated
Dr Thomas Sehested, The Danish Heart Foundation
Nearly 10,000 went on to suffer a stroke.
Scientists looked at whether they were on heartburn drugs like Prilosec, Prevacid, Protonix or Nexium.
They found being on any of these drugs increased overall stroke risk by a fifth.
But for patients on high doses of Prevacid it rose 30 per cent and for Protonix by 94 per cent.
Previous studies have shown that the pills trigger the release of a chemical that hinders blood flow, increasing the chances of a clot on the brain.
Researcher Dr Thomas Sehested said: “At one time, proton pump inhibitors were thought to be safe and without major side-effects.
“We know a lot of people are using them for much longer than indicated.
“This study questions the safety of these drugs.”
Last month, Dutch scientists warned PPI drugs appeared to be leaving some young men infertile.
Other studies have linked the medicines with kidney damage and osteoporosis.