A large Canadian study has just shown that the use of drugs used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) significantly increases the chances of having a hip fracture. Too often prescribed by doctors initially for simple stomach discomfort, these drugs are then consumed for several years by patients. It is therefore no surprise that Mopral® is the leading drug in terms of sales in France (316.7 million euros in 2003). Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)are a group of drugs whose primary action is a pronounced, long-term reduction in gastric acid production.

They are sold either under the generic name (Omeprazole) or under their specialty name

(Eupantol®, Inexium®, Inipomp®, Lanzor®, Mopral®, Ogast®, Pariet®, Zoltum®)

But what is the link between these drugs and hip fractures?

The problem is that we need stomach acid to properly absorb the calcium in our food. As these drugs suppress the acid secretion of our stomach, the calcium will not only not be assimilated but worse, our body will draw it from its main reserve, our bones.

The Canadian study just showed that the risk of hip fracture already doubles after a few years of use of these drugs and that this risk keeps increasing over time (up to 5 times after 10 years of use).

An additional paradox

Lack of calcium is one possible cause...of gastroesophageal reflux. Indeed, calcium is necessary for the motility of the esophagus and many researchers currently believe that gastroesophageal reflux is primarily a motor disorder of the esophagus. A real vicious circle then sets in where the anti-reflux drugs prevent the assimilation of calcium, leading to a malfunctioning of the esophagus which aggravates the reflux. Patients then become increasingly dependent on their medication anti-reflux.

It is therefore logical that the pharmaceutical industry makes big profits with these types of drugs since they treat the symptoms but promote the underlying disease.