Long-Term Use of the Antacids May Bring About the Same Symptoms They Resolve Upon Quitting Popular antacids known as proton pump inhibitors, or PPIs, may cause or aggravate the very acid-reflux symptoms they're used to treat, according to a new study. New research suggests that patients taking antacid medications known as proton pump inhibitors may be at risk for dependence on the drugs. After two months of taking esomeprazole (Nexium), 44 percent of healthy volunteers who started with no symptoms developed significant heartburn, acid reflux or dyspepsia, compared with 15 percent who took a harmless placebo, the scientists reported in the July issue of Gastroenterology. Worse, this apparent "rebound" acid secretion could lead to dependence on the drugs, according to the research team led by Dr. Peter Bytzer of Copenhagen... [read full story]
