Beasley, Allen, Crow, Methvin, Portis & Miles, P.C.

Severe acid reflux or heartburn can be painful and bothersome with symptoms that range from chest pain or a burning esophagus to hoarseness and sore throat. There are several methods to treat the condition such as manipulating the stomach acid secretion by neutralizing the acid, blocking the Histamine2 to stop acid production, or blocking the gastric proton pump. While the host of over-the-counter and prescription drugs to treat acid reflux can bring temporary relief, long-term use of acid reflux drugs can lead to some alarming adverse reactions.

Long-term use of antacids can disrupt the body chemistry. Continually reducing the amount of acid in the gastric system can, over time, cause it to produce more acid, resulting in another round of acid reflux, also known as acid rebound. But too little acid can be a problem as well. Stomach acid helps fight against substances that could harm the body and can leave the stomach more susceptible to infections.

Proton pump inhibitors, or PPIs, are the most powerful medications in the group of acid reflux treatments and overuse can cause a host of problems. For starters, the drugs can provoke underlying stomach disorders, including hyperplasia, an abnormal increase in the number of the organ cells. Another issue with PPIs surfaced just recently. Last month, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning to consumers and health care professionals that long term use of PPIs, both over-the-counter and prescription brands, may be linked to an increased risk of hip, wrist and spine fractures.

Perhaps the most alarming reaction to a type of acid reflux medication is a serious involuntary movement disorder known as Tardive Dyskinesia. The debilitating condition has been linked to the prescription heartburn drug metoclopramide, most commonly known by the brand name Reglan. The drug now carries a black box warning that long term use of Reglan can significantly increase one’s risk of developing the condition.

While these drugs can treat the bothersome symptoms of acid reflux, they are recommended only for short-term use. And unfortunately, once they are discontinued, as many as 80 percent of reflux-sufferers say their symptoms return within six months.

Related posts:

• Long term use of heartburn drugs can be dangerous
• Louisiana man sues maker of acid reflux medication Reglan
• Acid reflux study may lead to new treatments
• FDA warns makers of acid reflux drug to change warning label
• Infant reflux: Natural remedies should be tried before medical ones

This entry was posted on Friday, June 11th, 2010 at 7:00 am and is filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.