Extended use of certain acid-suppressing drugs may be leading to an increase in anemia, neurological problems, or dementia, according to a new study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association.
People who use proton-pump inhibitors (P.P.I.'s) and histamine 2 receptor antagonists, sold under brand names like Prevacid, Prilosec and Nexium, for two years or longer are at increased risk of vitamin B12 deficiency which can, in turn, cause these health problems, according to the study. Last year, nearly 157 million prescriptions were written for P.P.I.'s alone.
Out of more than 200,000 patients studied, those who took P.P.I.'s for more than two years were 65 percent more likely to have a vitamin B12 deficiency, with higher doses more strongly associated with the vitamin deficiency.
"It's so much easier to allow a patient who is happy staying on the drug to do so," said Dr. T.S. Dharamarajan, vice chairman of medicine at the Montefiore Medical Center, "but you have to consider the unintended harm." Read the full details here:
Acid-Suppressing Drugs Linked to Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Important new findings about the side effects of drugs many take to combat gastrointestinal issues. This news should be spread to ensure those who take these commonly prescribed and over the counter medications are aware of the severe issues they may cause.
If you or anyone in your family has suffered serious side effects or damages from a medication error you should seek legal investigation immediately. Crandall & Pera Law is available to help answer your questions and guide you in determining your next steps.