Prilosec OTC

Since its release in 2003, more than 27 million people have used Prilosec OTC to treat heartburn. In fact, Consumer Reports published an article in 2012 recommending Prilosec OTC over other proton pump inhibitors. Prilosec OTC is available in 20 mg delayed-release tablets without a prescription. Consumers should only take the tablet once a day for 14 days. According to the drug’s label, you may repeat the 14-day course every four months if needed. Prilosec OTC shouldn’t be taken for more than 14 days or more often than every four months. However, most people take it longer than directed.

Studies Link Prilosec to Serious Health Effects

Roughly, 15 million Americans use PPIs every year. Out of these, 20-50% are at a higher risk of chronic kidney disease compared with nonusers. The study published by JAMA Internal Medicine warned not to take Prilosec at all or to use only for the shortest possible duration. Those that increased their dosage also increased their risk for kidney disease. Kidney disease occurs when the kidneys lose their ability to filter blood effectively. This can lead to end-stage renal failure, which is the need for life-long dialysis treatment or even a kidney transplant.

Prilosec Linked to Acute Interstitial Nephritis

In 1992, it was first noted that PPIs cause Acute Interstitial Nephritis (AIN). Each new study described the 5 times greater risk users have in developing this deadly infection. AIN is a drug-induced bacterial infection of the kidneys. Prilosec causes nearly all cases of AIN. The treatment is either drug removal, dialysis or a kidney transplant. However, PPIs have a high rebound rate. This means that when the drug is stopped most people have such a high dependency on it that they must continue to use it just to feel better. The cycle continues until patients end up on dialysis or death.

It was not until December 2014 that the FDA issued a new warning about the association between Prilosec and kidney issues. This warning outlined the potential risk of developing acute interstitial nephritis, the sudden inflammation of the kidneys. The actual side effects of Prilosec are much worse. The FDA neglected to warn consumers that Prilosec users have a 50% risk of developing acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, and even kidney failure.

Prilosec & Chronic Liver Disease

Around 10% of Americans use PPIs like Nexium, which brings seven times higher risk of developing a chronic liver disease. The researchers at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine found that mice with gastric acid suppression developed alterations in their gut. Specifically, this bacteria named Enterococcus. These changes caused an environment favorable to liver inflammation and liver injury. It also increased the progression of liver disease in the mice used during the experiment.

Senior author of the study, Bernd Schnabl, MD, associate professor of gastroenterology at UC San Diego School of Medicine noted that the rise of chronic liver disease is related to more people using PPIs.  “We believe clinicians should consider withholding medications that suppress gastric acid unless there is a strong medical indication,” Schnabl said.

A chronic liver disease is the 12th leading cause of death worldwide and that number is rapidly increasing. PPIs, which include brand names such as Prilosec, Nexium, and Prevacid, are the most common doctor-prescribed medications in the world. They are also relatively inexpensive medications, costing around $7.  The longer the use the more costly it becomes. Americans spend around $11 billion each year on PPIs.

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