Proton pump inhibitors and osteoporosis..
By rx4life
@rx4life (1930)
United States
February 1, 2007 1:51am CST
A new study is out that documents the increasing number of fractures in the hips of both men and women that take proton pump inhibitors ( prevacid, prilosec, aciphex, protonix, nexium, etc) I find this very disturbing as I have a condition that warrants me taking one of these drugs and now I find out I have borderline osteoporosis...they couldn't figure it out for the longest time...why don't I absorb calcium..as my diet and supplements are rich in it...now the suspect is the drug...and so the analysis begins..without the drug I have violent bouts of esphogeal spasms..with the drug I have thinning bones..with the new drugs for thinning bones there is a huge risk of jawbone death...( where your jawbone actually dies and is no longer vital...many documented cases...especially with people who have had any dental implants which I have!!!!)..wow what a merry-go-round..I walk at least 5 miles a day and they thought that would really increase my bone density...5 years later I have lost way more than is normal..Has anyone else had this trouble? have you taken any of these drugs for your stomach?...have you spoken to your doctor about the bone loss possibility? Would love to hear from someone about this...
1 person likes this
3 responses
@rx4life (1930)
• United States
14 Feb 07
Do you mean Aciphex? Yes it is. There are many in this same category. Prevacid, Prilosec, Omeprazole (which is generic Prilosec),Aciphex, Protonix,Nexium....The other category that had some similar results but much less often were H2 blockers such as Zantac, Pepcid, also known generically as ranitidine and famotidine.
@ossie16d (11821)
• Australia
27 Feb 07
It sounds as though I am lucky, as I am not on any of these medications. However recently I noticed something and so when I saw the Doctor, I asked him about it. He said that it is caused by one of the medications I take and combined with the fact that it is summer and extremely hot, that has exacerbated the situation.
So it does seem that I have the choice of changing medications, and another might just have the same effect or not really do what it is intended. Of course the other alternative is to keep taking the current medication, and tolerate the side effects. The side effects aren't that bad I suppose, and putting up with them is better than not taking the medication at all. The thing with medicationsis that the majority of them will always have some sort of side effects, so you have to weigh up the options.
The other thing rv4life is, have you looked for alternatives that might be able to help. By that I mean herbal or naturopathatic type medications, although I would imagine that this is something that you have looked at already. I am actually due to have bone density checks done this year, so thanks for enlightening me on this risk should I have a need for such medications in future.
1 person likes this
@rx4life (1930)
• United States
27 Feb 07
Yes..my daughter is a naturopathic physician.. I have tried some of the usual natural remedies...so we are working on some alternatives...but good point...We need stomach acid to perform many body functions...it is not good to completely eliminate it unless it is life threatening!!!! Glad to share information...:)
@dragonstar13 (1465)
• United States
1 Feb 07
Thanks for this information. I have been on proton pump inhibitors for about 4 years and no one ever mentioned these side effects. I am due for a new prescription so I will ask my doctor.
@rx4life (1930)
• United States
13 Feb 07
I take Prevacid..but Aciphex is in the same category...this is a new study but it done by a very well respected medical university and followed up by several specialty groups.. I am seeing the specialist again this week to find out more!!! Will post the results.
