Warning over common acid reflux drug taken by millions

A UK health warning highlights potential long-term gut health risks from omeprazole, a widely used heartburn medicine, amid NHS spending on PPIs.

Warning over common acid reflux drug taken by millions

A warning on a widely used heartburn drug has drawn attention to long-term gut health. Deborah Grayson, a pharmacist, discussed omeprazole on TikTok, noting it can affect how the stomach makes acid and may have downsides when used for simple heartburn. The NHS prescribed about 73 million PPIs in England in 2022-23, with a cost around £190 million.

Grayson says omeprazole stops heartburn by reducing stomach acid, but that can impair digestion over time. Low stomach acid can weaken the gut’s defenses and hinder absorption of nutrients like vitamin B12, iron, calcium and magnesium. She also warned that reduced acid may raise the risk of infections such as Clostridium difficile and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, and she stressed that these drugs can be appropriate for gastritis or esophageal erosion.

The discussion also covers lifestyle changes that may reduce reliance on PPIs. Eating more slowly, being mindful of meals, and avoiding certain trigger foods like peppermint, chocolate, coffee and citrus can help. There is also a recommendation to wait a while after eating before lying down to sleep. The article notes these tips can complement medical advice and that patients should reassess long-term needs with a clinician.

The piece leans into a cautious view of a medicine that many rely on for quick relief. It highlights how the NHS’s heavy use of PPIs creates a policy and budgeting backdrop, while everyday patients face questions about how long is too long to stay on a drug. The tension is clear: immediate comfort versus possible digestive trade-offs. A broader takeaway is the need for regular medical review of chronic heartburn and a renewed emphasis on lifestyle approaches when appropriate.

Social media can amplify concerns about common medications, but the story also underscores the complexity of gut health. Long-term suppression of stomach acid is not a small matter, and it calls for careful clinician monitoring, clearer patient guidance, and perhaps alternative therapies where suitable. The challenge for health systems is to balance access, cost, and safety without turning a useful drug into a symbol of risk.

Highlights

The warning invites a broader look at how health care guides people in balancing relief with long term gut health.