
Patients with questions about long-term proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use are being told to consult a physician, following a study that suggests the heartburn drugs may be associated with an increased risk of dementia.
“We appreciate and respect the data in the study, but believe more research is needed to understand the impact of PPIs on cognitive function, especially since studies of this type do not control for diet or lifestyle factors, nor do they establish causation,” says Dr. Ken DeVault, Mayo Clinic gastroenterologist and president of the American College of Gastroenterology.
Additional studies have suggested other potential complications with long-term PPI use, including the risk for kidney disease.
“If a patient has been treated for a long period of time, they should talk to their health care provider before stopping or changing the dose of these medications,” adds Dr. DeVault in an American College of Gastroenterology blog.
In this Mayo Clinic Minute, Jeff Olsen talks with Dr. DeVault about weighing the risks and benefits of PPIs.
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