Wednesday, October 27, 2004
Stomach Acid Drugs May Raise Pneumonia Risk
"The risk is not huge. But the drugs work so well and so safely -- and are advertised so aggressively -- that they're among the most-used drugs in the U.S. . . .There seems to be one extra case of pneumonia among every 100 people who take acid-suppressing drugs for one year."
The study is from JAMA and is found here. It is an observational, retrospective study - so this isn't the most robust data. However, it makes a point that not all medications are as benign as they seem. Remember, simple aspirin or NSAIDs can cause stomach bleeding or ulcers, now acid-blockers may be associated with pneumonia. In general, the acid-blockers are a pretty safe class of medications - although now, the risks and benefits should be critically weighed, especially in the immunocompromised, or those with chronic lung disease susceptible to pneumonia.
"The risk is not huge. But the drugs work so well and so safely -- and are advertised so aggressively -- that they're among the most-used drugs in the U.S. . . .There seems to be one extra case of pneumonia among every 100 people who take acid-suppressing drugs for one year."
The study is from JAMA and is found here. It is an observational, retrospective study - so this isn't the most robust data. However, it makes a point that not all medications are as benign as they seem. Remember, simple aspirin or NSAIDs can cause stomach bleeding or ulcers, now acid-blockers may be associated with pneumonia. In general, the acid-blockers are a pretty safe class of medications - although now, the risks and benefits should be critically weighed, especially in the immunocompromised, or those with chronic lung disease susceptible to pneumonia.
Posted by Kevin |
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Comments:
Can't argue with the point that not all medications are as benign as they seem. I would go farther than saying that "this isn't the most robust data", however, and I did.
mjmd
JournalClub.org
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mjmd
JournalClub.org
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