Monday, August 27, 2012

Heartburn Medications: Worth the Risk?

Drugs to control heartburn are among the pharmaceutical industry's biggest sellers, with millions of people taking both over-the-counter and prescription medications to fight acid reflux. But these drugs, called proton pump inhibitors or PPIs, come with a cost, according to national wellness expert Dr. Erika Schwartz.

Prilosec, Prevacid, and Nexium have been linked to various side effects, including an increased risk of bone fracture, diarrhea, and reduced absorption of nutrients, but do the benefits of PPIs outweigh the risks? "I don't think that the people who have broken bones because they have taken them are going to agree with the idea that the benefits outweigh the risks," Dr. Schwartz tells Newsmax Health.

"Actually, diet is a better way," she said.

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