If you want
to know about the kind of side effects that PPIs
have, you should first look at how they function. Proton Pump
Inhibitors are specific category of drugs that
regularize the secretion of gastric acid in the stomach.
The various drugs included in PPIs are: Omeprazole,
Lansoprazole, Dexlansoprazole, Esomeprazole, Pantoprazole and
Rabeprazole. They are given in conditions like
gastroesophageal reflux, peptic ulcer and dyspepsia and stress
induced gastritis.
Gastric acid,
obviously, is important for
the body functions like for digestion and to get rid of toxic
pathogens. But in some situations such as, excessive secretion or if
acid backs up into the esophagus damage may
occur, specifically in stomach lining and esophageal walls.
Proton pump inhibitors create conditions so
that ulcers can heal normally and inhibit the entry of gastric
acid into esophagus.
What Are
The Basic Side Effects of PPIs
These are
some of the typical side effects of PPIs: nausea, headaches,
rashes, fatigue, dizziness, abdominal pain and diarrhea. On
an odd occasion PPIs may be a reason for people suffering anxiety
and depression. Furthermore, proton pump
inhibitors can professedly bring about long
lasting and severe damages to the body. These serious problems occur
when the patient has used these drugs for a longer duration and, is
taking heavy doses of PPIs.
Other Side
Effects of PPIs
If taken for
longer periods certain other side
effects of PPIs may occur. It can cause
the bones to get fragile. This happens on account of PPIs
decreasing flow of stomach acids,
that allows for the absorption of calcium. Calcium
is the element that is needed so that the bones, can remain strong
and healthy. So, due to that the long term takers of PPIs are prone
to fractures, specifically the hip bones. Doctors advise people
suffering from Osteoporosis to be vary
careful while using the PPIs. The same kind of decrease in absorption
may occur with the B12 vitamin as well.
This element is needed for healthy bones.
If the inside
body environment is acidic it is hostile to
bacterial growth. This is especially true
for the stomach acids. As there is a single
opening for trachea as well as
esophagus, fragments from esophagus
on occasions go up to enter the trachea, when we are lying down.
During this process its likely that bacteria may
go with it as well. And, the odds of such disasters increase due to
reduction in the acid levels because of PPIs intake. If that happens
there is an increased chance of bacterial pneumonia as
a result of lung infection.
Clostridium
difficile a genre of bacterium can really ruin our system. Generally
transmitted orally via ingestion, the bacterium give rise to
relatively deadly diarrhea, colitis or inflammation of the colon
walls. Normally the bacteria is inhibited by our immune system yet an
altered ecology of the gut on account of PPIs, leaves us defenceless
against it. So to inhibit it the intake of drugs should be in
controlled doses.
Conclusion
To conclude
the dosage should be prescribed on a case by case and individual
basis.
