Daily drug taken by millions found to increase risk of dementia by 33 per cent
A medication that is consumed by millions on a daily basis to ease a common ailment can also have a majorly undesired effect, researchers found.
Although proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) can work wonders when it comes to treating acid reflux, a study conducted by boffins in the US suggests you really shouldn't rely on them long-term.
Otherwise, you might be putting yourself at a higher risk of suffering from dementia.
The author of the study, neurologist Dr Kamakshi Lakshminarayan, explained that her team's analysis found there is an 'association' between dementia and taking PPIs.
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Loads of people take tablets such as Omeprazole, Lansoprazole and Pantoprazole to help remedy acid reflux and heartburn, as they reduce the amount of acid being produced in the stomach.
Too much acid in your belly can trigger indigestion, regurgitation and even stomach ulcers. Thankfully, as the NHS explains, PPIs 'stop stomach acid collecting in the stomach and therefore stop these problems'.
People typically take them once a day and doctors usually prescribe them for a period of around four to eight weeks, as it is better if you're not on them long.
That's because these medications can have significant health implications if you take them over extended stints. Most of the extreme complications are 'rare', the NHS says, but they are still a possibility.
These include very low levels of vitamin B12 - resulting in symptoms such as tiredness, dizziness, or muscle twitches or weakness - weakened bones that can easily break and allergic reactions.
Shockingly, the NHS warns that taking tablets such as Omeprazole over long periods can lead to you contracting a 'a type of lupus that can cause rashes and joint pain'.
"The chance of getting serious side effects can be higher if you take omeprazole for a long time (a year or more)," it adds.
This is also what Dr Lakshminarayan and her team of experts found when they conducted research into the consequences of long-term use of PPIs.
Previous research has already suggested those who consume them are at a higher risk of suffering a stroke, kidney disease and broken bones.
The research
In Dr Lakshminarayan's 2023 study, the vascular neurologist and other American scientists then discovered that people who took PPIs for over four years were 33 per cent more likely of developing dementia.
For the research that was previously published in the journal Neurology, boffins analysed 5,712 people who were aged 45 to 64. All of these folks did not have dementia at the beginning of the investigation.
Out of these participants, nearly 1,500 (26 per cent) were taking PPIs.
While taking into account factors such as preexisting health conditions, age, sex and race, the team noticed an interesting pattern.
Out of the 497 people who had been consuming PPIs for nearly four and a half years, 58 of them developed dementia.
"This study does not prove that acid reflux drugs cause dementia," Dr Lakshminarayan said previously. "It only shows an association.
"More research is needed to confirm our findings in other large study groups and understand the possible link between long-term proton pump inhibitor use and higher risk of dementia.
"While we did not find a link with short-term use, we did find a higher risk of dementia associated with long-term use of these drugs."
Discussing the possible reason behind this link, she went on: "Some studies have shown that use of acid reflux drugs may be associated with low B12 levels. And low B12 is associated with impaired thinking and poor memory."
However, Dr Lakshminarayan said she 'could not comment on this theory' as she did not acquire B12 measurements from the participants.
Dr Gregory Day, an associate professor in the Department of Neurology at the Mayo Clinic, reckoned that this was a fair assumption to make though.
He previously told CBS News that PPIs can 'alter enzymes in the brain' which are supposed to help control the amount of a protein in the brain called amyloid, which is famously associated damage caused by Alzheimer's disease.
The expert suggested PPIs might 'decrease the level of the body's chemical that is there to cut off the amyloid in specific ways'.
"In theory, these medications increase amyloid in the brain, increasing the risk of Alzheimer's disease, and Alzheimer's is the number one cause of dementia," he said.
Dr Lakshminarayan also added: "While there are various ways to treat acid reflux, such as taking antacids, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding late meals and certain foods, different approaches may not work for everyone.
"It is important that people taking these medications speak with their doctor before making any changes, to discuss the best treatment for them, and because stopping these drugs abruptly may result in worse symptoms.”
Olivia Burke