Brits have been warned about overusing PPIs (Image: Getty)
A doctor people taking proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) such as omeprazole for ailments including heartburn, acid reflux, and indigestion need to be careful. Across the UK, a quarter of adults are affected by acid reflux.
For those dealing with persistent symptoms, doctors may prescribe PPIs like omeprazole to alleviate discomfort. However, Dr Punam Krishan has highlighted the need for care among those on this medication, particularly for extended periods, stressing the importance of regular medical reviews.
Dr Krishan practises as an NHS GP and serves as the resident doctor on BBC‘s Morning Live.
She said: “Acid reflux is all about what happens in your stomach. So we all have acid in our stomach and it has a very important role. The role of that is to break down and digest the food. Now, at the top of the stomach, we have a little valve, a sphincter, and it acts like a trapdoor. And its job is to basically seal the contents so the acid is not essentially tracking back up the food pipe, your oesophagus. However, if that sphincter, that valve, becomes too loose, it can become very relaxed by things like heavy meals.
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PPIs aren’t intended to be used over a long period of time (Image: Getty)
“If you’ve had alcohol, if you lie down straight after having a heavy meal, that can actually mean that that acid from the stomach can end up creeping back up the food pipe and cause that heavy pressured burning sensation that people get.”
Dr Krishan explained that there are various treatments available, but for more persistent discomfort, she noted that doctors often prescribe proton pump inhibitors, or PPIs for short, such as omeprazole and lansoprazole.
But the NHS GP delivered a warning to those using PPIs, explaining: “Essentially these medications aren’t there to be used unnecessarily or for a long period of time. They do require us to review them.
“And that’s because if used over a long period of time, they can slightly increase your risk of things like low magnesium, low vitamin B12, but also increase the risk of gut infections, particularly Clostridioides difficile. We call that C. diff for short.”
Emphasising the importance of routine monitoring for long-term PPI users, Dr Krishan continued: “Now, we have this bacteria in our bowel, and it lives in balance.
“However, medications like PPIs can tip that balance. And if you get overgrowth of this bacterium, it can cause persistent diarrhoea. That is a red flag.
“So you do need to speak to your doctor if that is an issue and you suddenly start developing diarrhoea. Or if you’ve got a change in bowel habit, we always say check in with your doctor. Just make sure that you are getting those reviews with your GP.”
If you’re taking omeprazole over the counter, it shouldn’t be used for longer than a fortnight. You should consult a doctor in some circumstances.
For those prescribed omeprazole for extended periods, doctors should carry out regular monitoring. Your GP will arrange a schedule for follow-up consultations tailored to your individual health requirements and risk factors, typically every six to 12 months.
Should your GP recommend taking omeprazole for more than a year, regular reviews become essential to reduce the likelihood of long-term adverse effects.
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
