Gastro-protective drugs such as omeprazole are prescribed like candy

Not so harmless drugs that are given to protect the stomach, have much more in the long term side effects than previously thought.

The current status is of concern: stomach-protecting drugs are prescribed and administered as candy. "It can not be true, get that up to the hospital 90Prozent patients prescribed a stomach protection. This is a Europe-wide problem, "Martina Andi sealed, Clinical Pharmacist criticized the Vienna Danube Hospital, at this year's summer academy of the Austrian Chamber of Pharmacists.

Protection against gastric protection Hype

One would have the patient actually offer protection against this stomach-protective hype, because "taken for a long time, these drugs have a lot more side effects than previously thought," says the expert to report on the PPI. PPI is called proton pump inhibitors, and proton pump inhibitors. They inhibit the formation of stomach acid (pH increases) and in diseases such as peptic ulcer or reflux esophagitis (heartburn) prescribed, but more often as a protection from gastrointestinal bleeding caused by other drugs (especially pain medications). Active ingredients include omeprazole, pantoprazole or lansoprazole, which are sold under various names in the trade.


Pulmonary inflammation, osteoporosis

"For long-term administration can lead to stomach-protective preparations pneumonia. Because of the altered gastric milieu - the pH to rise an average of 1.2 to 3.5 - germs can survive that would have otherwise been killed. And these germs can then walk and then get into the lungs. That's one reason why using PPIs in intensive care is fortunately very cautious, "noted Andy sealed.

Other adverse effects of PPIs include long taken an increased risk of osteoporosis and therefore an increase in fracture risk and a possible change in the intestinal mucosa and an increase in the allergenic potential. "They are also associated with an inadequate intake of magnesium, iron, vitamin B12 and calcium together."

PPI should be prescribed only when specifically approved indications and in the prescribed duration of therapy, such as in patients with NSAID-term therapy. NSAIDs, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have anti-inflammatory painkillers, which are associated with a high risk of stomach and intestinal bleeding, many of which are available without a prescription. Among the most popular NSAIDs include aspirin, ibuprofen, Voltaren, Deflamat, diclofenac, Parkemed, Seractil, Miranax. Andi sealed 'advice: "Therefore take NSAIDs as short as necessary and always separated from the stomach protective drug. At the hospital admissions for dangerous drug side effects NSAIDs are the leading group. They are afflicted with an enormous omeprazole side effects, dizziness and gastrointestinal bleeding of acute renal failure to increase heart attack and stroke. "

Kidney failure or stroke may also prevent the PPI's not, they are only a protection from gastrointestinal bleeding. Andi Czech: "We have been in the Danube Hospital as a guide for targeted regulation of PPI's a folder for your lab coat. With the support of clinical pharmacists and physicians with extensive training programs we have reduced within a year the consumption of proton pump inhibitors by almost 45 percent. "