Previous Research on PPIs & Kidney Damage
Several studies have been published in the past several years concerning the relationship between chronic kidney disease (CKD) and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) such as Nexium, Prilosec, and Prevacid.
The table below identifies the year, title, and results of three recent studies on PPIs and kidney problems such as acute interstitial nephritis (AIN), acute kidney injury (AKI), and CKD:
| April 2015 | “Proton pump inhibitors and the risk of acute kidney injury in older patients: a population-based cohort study” |
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| January 2016 | “Proton Pump Inhibitor Use and the Risk of Chronic Kidney Disease” |
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| April 2016 | “Proton Pump Inhibitors and Risk of Incident CKD and Progression to ESRD” |
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New Findings and Increased Risks
The results of a recent study titled, “Proton Pump Inhibitors and Risk of Chronic Kidney Diseases: A Meta-Analysis” were discussed at American Society of Nephrology (ASN) Kidney Week 2017.
While the actual study results have not yet been published, the press release from the ASN reports that those using PPIs had a 33% increased risk of developing CKD or kidney failure compared to those who did not take the drugs.
This new study was a meta-analysis of five previous studies, which included a total of 536,902 participants.
One of the leading researchers, Charat Thongprayoon, MD (Bassett Medical Center), stated the following:
This study demonstrates a significant association between the use of PPIs and increased risks of chronic kidney disease and kidney failure…Although no causal relationship has been proven, providers should consider whether PPI therapy is indicated for patients. Chronic use of PPIs should be avoided if not really indicated.
What This Means
While a 33% increased risk may not sound very significant to most users of Nexium, Prilosec, Prevacid, or other PPIs, it becomes more alarming when considering just how many people are using these drugs.
PPIs are one of the most commonly prescribed medications, with millions of users worldwide.
In addition to prescriptions, these drugs can be obtained over-the-counter. As such, it is vital that the labels for these drugs contain information about the increased risk of CKD and other kidney problems identified in research.
We will continue to monitor the medical literature for additional study results and label changes, then report on significant developments.
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