Why Are So Many People Taking Proton Pump Inhibitors?

Iwas sitting in my med school physiology class in the mid-1990s when I first learned about an incredible medication for acid reflux. It was the most potent way to stop acid production, and it did so by permanently binding to <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/biochemistry-genetics-and-molecular-biology/proton-pump" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" target="_blank">proton pumps</a>–the pumps that make acid in the stomach lining. That medicine was called <a href="https://www.purplepill.com/" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" target="_blank">Nexium</a>, the brand name version of omeprazole. It was the first drug of a class called <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000381.htm" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" target="_blank">proton pump inhibitors</a> (PPIs) that would revolutionize the treatment of gut ailments. At the time, the first-line drugs for acid reflux were <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/histamine-h2-antagonist-oral-route-injection-route-intravenous-route/description/drg-20068584" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" target="_blank">H2 blockers</a>, like Tagamet and Pepcid. They were great for handling the consequences of late-night cheeseburger binges and beer bong parties because they only temporarily reduced acid production. But some people needed all their acid production turned off. They had more severe problems like <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/barretts-esophagus/symptoms-causes/syc-20352841#:~:text=Barrett's%20esophagus%20is%20a%20condition,to%20thicken%20and%20become%20red." rel="noopener ugc nofollow" target="_blank">Barrett’s esophagus</a>, which can lead to cancer, and gastritis, which can lead to bleeding ulcers. Nexium filled in this gap. There are now <a href="https://www.drugwatch.com/proton-pump-inhibitors/" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" target="_blank">eight brand-name PPIs</a> in the U.S. For many patients PPIs were–and still are– true lifesavers. <a href="https://lindaddahl.medium.com/dropping-acid-reflux-b3c466d6d5dd">Read More</a>