Long Term Use of Proton Pump Inhibitors...Is it Safe?

Course overview

Over the last number of years and even most recently observational studies have surfaced examining the long term safety of proton pump inhibitors, most notably the prescription PPIs. Some of the long term effects that have been observed in these studies include dementia, fractures, kidney disease, nutrient malabsorption, infections and most recently death. Despite all of the data that has been published it is important to look more closely at these studies since they are only observational and not randomized controlled trials. Unfortunately this information is readily available to the public via the media and it continues to pose concerns for not only patients but clinicians as well. It is important for pharmacists to be educated on this topic so they can appropriately communicate with their patients and prescribers on this class of medication.