Heart Attack Risk Linked to Nexium, Prilosec, Similar Antacids: Study
New research suggests that users of popular heart burn drugs, such as Nexium and Prilosec, may face an increased risk of heart attacks.
In a study published last week in the science journal PLOS One, researchers from Stanford University indicated that use of drugs that are part of a class of antacids known as proton pump inhibitors were 20% more likely to suffer a heart attack.
PPIs reduce the amount of acid in the stomach and are used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), as well as heartburn, ulcers in the stomach and small intestines, as well as inflammation of the esophagus. Drugs that belong to the class include blockbuster treatments like Nexium, Prevacid, Prilosec (and generic omeprazole), Protonix, AcipHex, Dexilant, Vimovo and Zegerid.
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Learn MoreNexium is the most widely used medication from this class, generating an estimated $6 billion in annual sales before it became available over-the-counter and as a generic.
In the study, researchers data mined clinical information from 16 million documents on nearly 3 million patients, looking for an association between PPI use and cardiovascular risk.
The research was prompted after a number of previous studies found poor clinical outcomes among patients who took both Plavix and a PPI after acute coronary syndrome. Other data also suggested that PPIs may be linked to a risk among people who had no prior history of cardiovascular disease.
In addition to an increased risk of heart attack, researchers found that taking PPIs doubled the risk of patients dying of heart problems. They found that risk existed regardless of whether the patient took Plavix.
“The current study suggests that the risk of PPIs may extend beyond previously studied high risk individuals,” the researchers concluded. “These findings, in conjunction with the preclinical results, necessitate additional investigation.”
Heart burn drugs have already been linked to a number of potentially harmful side effects, and some consumer watchdog groups have even warned that they could be addictive. One of the most dramatic side effects are those of bone fractures.
In 2010, the FDA required the manufacturers of all other proton pump inhibitor (PPI) medications to update the warning labels, adding information about a potential risk of fractures and bone problems from side effects of Prilosec, Nexium and other drugs in the same class.
That warning was updated again by the FDA in 2011, indicating that the risk of broken bones from Nexium appears to be linked to high doses of the medication used over long periods of time, which is exactly the kind of prescribing behavior the study found happens far too often. Over-the-counter versions of the drug did not appear to be affected, according to federal drug regulators.
A number of former users who have suffered bone fractures have pursued a Nexium lawsuit, alleging that AstraZeneca failed to adequately warn about the risks associated with long term use of the heartburn drug.
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7 Comments
MikeApril 5, 2020 at 8:19 pm
In 2002 I was rushed with chest pains and turned out I had a stent put in for a heart attack. In 2016 years more of heartburn medication all of the ones mentioned was again rushed into the hospital with chest pains again another heart attack 6 way bipass lots of medical records and I firmly believe it was the use of these meds.
JohnDecember 21, 2017 at 3:41 pm
I was put on Prilosec and stayed on them for about 20 years About 1 year after starting developed an irregular heartbeat I have had 2 ablation surgery in those 20 years I have had no issues with heart prior to taking this Prilosec and I feel this was the cause of heart issues
sueMay 31, 2016 at 6:29 pm
in 2010 my 24 pound poodle was prescribed Prilosec indefinitely for her gastric ulcers. I gave it to her for about 6 months or so. She was given a human dose at first, 1 tablet but that was reduced to a half tablet.She was 2 years old at the time. Four years later she was diagnosed with stage 3 of chronic renal failure. She died from stage 4 kidney disease a month ago after suffering with kidn[Show More]in 2010 my 24 pound poodle was prescribed Prilosec indefinitely for her gastric ulcers. I gave it to her for about 6 months or so. She was given a human dose at first, 1 tablet but that was reduced to a half tablet.She was 2 years old at the time. Four years later she was diagnosed with stage 3 of chronic renal failure. She died from stage 4 kidney disease a month ago after suffering with kidney failure for a year and a half and my spending over $10,000 for treatments at vet hospitals not to mention what I was paying in cash for her to have someone come to my home every day to take care of other kidney treatments , such as administering fluids. She suffered terrible from the kidney disease and I now believe that my giving her Prilosec killed her and I have to live with the guilt of having administered it to her,.
RichardMay 31, 2016 at 5:33 am
Started using nuxium 2 years ago along with prilosec been having issues with diseness and also having issues with chest pains. Doctors could find the cause. Till I suggested I been taking these pills every day for 2 years
MercedesFebruary 22, 2016 at 11:31 am
I have taken nexium for over 8years and was told I had a silent heart attack. No one said a thing to me until I deceded to research why my insurance rejected my refill.
tommieFebruary 22, 2016 at 3:07 am
been taking Prilosec for about 15 or 20 years when it was subscribe by my doctor.i than start taking the otc when it became available. I go to the doctor often for inregulairty heart beat and sometime pass out.did not have any of these problem before.
BobbyAugust 20, 2015 at 12:44 am
I was prescribed Nexium in 2011 by my primary doctor. In July 2013. I had a heart attack and had triple by pass surgery 4 days later. I would like to be a part of this class action law suit.