SAFETY OF LONG-TERM PROTON PUMP INHIBITORS: FACTS AND MYTHS

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are one of the most prescribed drugs in the world. Frequent use and long-term maintenance of these drugs drew the attention of researchers for sporadic adverse effects reports.

The purpose of this narrative review is to discuss appropriate data and causality related to these adverse events and PPIs.

A narrative review was conducted by systematizing information about safety and adverse events on PPIs from 2015 to 2020. A structured search on Pubmed was performed to identify systematic reviews and meta-analysis investigating the following situations: a) gastric cancer; b) micronutrients deficiency; c) acid rebound; d) infections; e) fractures; f) dementia; g) kidney disease; and h) sudden death and cardiovascular changes.

Recent studies have potentially associated PPIs with some adverse events as osteoporosis-related fractures. There are also reports of intestinal infections, including Clostridium difficile, besides poor vitamins absorption and minerals such as vitamin B12, magnesium, and iron. Furthermore, there are some dementia, pneumonia, kidney disease, myocardial infarction, and stroke reports. For kidney diseases, studies consistently suggest that the use of PPI may be associated with an increased risk of adverse kidney events, especially in the elderly, with long-term PPI use and pre-existing kidney disease. Another additional question is whether chronic PPI use would also lead to the onset of gastric cancer. The abrupt discontinuation of PPIs is also related to increased gastric acid production above pre-PPI treatment levels; this phenomenon is called acid rebound.

The key to mitigate adverse effects is the rational use of PPIs at the lowest effective dose and in the shortest possible duration. Although these adverse effects have a potential clinical impact, their causal association is still subject to validation.