Anti-heartburn medications can cause kidney damage

Scientists in Washington DC, USA have announced that millions of people suffer from heartburn and this drug may be at risk of causing high kidney failure. All are claimed after a recent analysis.

This new study indicates that people who use proton pump inhibitors that reduce stomach acid production are 33% more likely to develop chronic kidney disease or kidney failure when compared to non-drug users.

To investigate, Charat Thongprayoon and colleagues analyzed studies of the risk of chronic kidney disease or renal failure in people taking PPI compared with non-users.

Five studies with 536,902 participants achieved the criteria for the study survey conditions and were then analyzed according to meta standards.

Research indicates that individuals who use PPI will be 33% more likely to develop kidney failure or severe kidney failure than those who do not.

Thongprayoon noted that this study demonstrated a significant association between PPI use and increased risk of chronic kidney disease and kidney failure.

"Although no causal relationship has been proven, therapists should consider whether to use PPI therapy for patients ."

This finding has just been presented at the 2017 ASN Week at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, LA.