People who use certain drugs for chronic heartburn may be at increased risk of developing kidney disease, a new study suggests. The research is the latest to highlight potential risks from drugs called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). PPIs include prescription and over-the-counter drugs, such as Prilosec, Prevacid and Nexium. But prolonged use of PPIs has been linked to certain nutrient deficiencies and bone-density loss. According to the U.S.
Food and Drug Administration, bone fractures are considered a safety concern when people use PPIs for a year or more. More recently, research has hinted at additional hazards. Last year, for example, a study tied the medications to a slight increase in heart attack risk. However, neither that study nor this new one proves that PPIs are directly to blame for these problems. His the team found that PPI users were more likely than people on other…
