Proton pump inhibitors use; beware of side-effects

Proton pump inhibitors are most widely prescribed medicines all over the world. Since their introduction in pharmacy, life of millions of people has changed completely. Their ability to inhibit acid secretion in stomach has changed the natural history of many once-dreaded conditions like peptic ulcer and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Operation like gastrectomy and partial gastrectomy are carried out very rarely. These medicines are considered very cost-effective, have excellent safety profile, and provide prompt symptomatic relief. However, they are not without side effects, and several warnings have been issued by the Food and Drug Agency of the United States about the risk of hypomagnesaemia, possibility of increased fracture risk, and reduction in efficacy of clopidogrel by concomitant use of proton pump inhibitors. But despite all these warnings, their use is still on the rise. This Review was planned to highlight side effects and drug interactions so that a practising physician may keep the rare but potentially devastating effects in mind while prescribing the pumps.