Health Officials Warn of Infection Risk linked to Long-Term Acid Reflux Drug Use
Millions of people who regularly take proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) like omeprazole for acid reflux might potentially be increasing their risk of serious infections, health officials are warning. While commonly used to alleviate heartburn, prolonged use of these drugs can reduce stomach acid levels, perhaps compromising the gutS natural defenses and increasing susceptibility to infections such as C. difficile, campylobacter, and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO).
Acid reflux occurs when stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, causing discomfort. However, stomach acid plays a vital role in digestion, activating enzymes like pepsin to break down proteins and helping to soften food. It also acts as a protective barrier against harmful microbes. Reducing stomach acid, experts say, can weaken this defence.
“Reduced stomach acid can also compromise the gut’s natural defense barrier, increased susceptibility to infections such as C. diff, campylobacter and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO),” explained Ms. Grayson. “These can cause further gastrointestinal symptoms and, in certain specific cases, serious complications.”
The National Health Service (NHS) advises against taking omeprazole for longer than two weeks without a prescription and urges individuals to consult a doctor if symptoms worsen or do not improve.
the warning comes as cases of C. difficile infection have surged by a third in the past year, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).In 2023-24, there were 29.5 cases per 100,000 people – a 33 percent increase as 2020-21 and the highest level recorded in over a decade. C. difficile is considered the leading cause of healthcare-associated infections, spreading through spores in infected patients’ feces that can survive for extended periods on surfaces.
Symptoms of a C. difficile infection include diarrhea, a high temperature, loss of appetite, nausea, and stomach pain. individuals experiencing diarrhea, especially if bloody, or diarrhea lasting a week or more, are advised to contact NHS 111 or their GP.
Furthermore, research indicates that up to 40 percent of patients do not respond to PPIs, rendering the medication ineffective in those cases.
