Side effect of long term use of Omeprazole; this is rarely talked about

Now you see, Omeprazole is more like a superstar in the realm of acid reflux and heartburn relief. If you having acid reflux disorder which can consequentially lead to heartburn, it is in most cases the go-to drug. You can refer to it as the unsung hero that douses the fiery dragons of indigestion and grants solace to those plagued by stomach acid woes.

Now Let's take a look beyond the Surface

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^{Image is mine}

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However, behind this so-called veil of relief lies what could easily be referred to as a surprising revelation. Did you know that Omeprazole isn’t just a quick-fix solution? It’s a member of the PPI (proton pump inhibitor) family, basically Wielding its power by putting the brakes on your stomach's acid production. This is interesting, now, while Omeprazole might seem like a magical elixir for a range of digestive issues like ulcers and acid reflux disorders, it also harbors some hidden surprises. Recent studies have sparked debates that might raise an eyebrow or two. Some findings suggest a link between long-term use of PPIs like Omeprazole and potential health concerns.

What the studies reveal as regards omeprazole

These Reports indicate possible associations with issues beyond just heartburn relief. From potential risks of kidney problems to risk of nutrient deficiencies and even fractures, the startling revelations might make you reconsider this pill’s role in your health journey.

Now lets take all these risks that repeated, non-stop use of omeprazole poses in the long term and see how it might occur

let's start by listing out the potential risk and then break down the potential reasons behind these side effects of long-term Omeprazole use using simpler terms:

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Nutritional Deficiencies: Omeprazole reduces the stomach's acid production. This acid helps absorb important nutrients like vitamin B12, calcium, magnesium, and iron from the food we eat. When there's less acid due to Omeprazole, it might become harder for our bodies to absorb these nutrients, leading to deficiencies. This was confirmed in a study by Hassan et al., 2022 where the result of their study stated and I quote that "Among the 1225 participants, more than half of the men (55.10%) had low levels of vitamin B12. Vit B12 levels were observed to be significantly lower in Omeprazole patients than in Pantoprazole patients. A vitamin B12 deficiency is 0.5 times more likely in patients taking PPIs". From his team's study, it was made obvious that there is a substantial difference in the early and final levels of vitamin B12 in these participants who were on long-term Omeprazole.
Their study concluded that "long-term usage of PPIs like Omeprazole was linked to an increased risk of vitamin B12 insufficiency specifically in men falling under the ages of 18 and 40" (Here is a link to The Study if you are interested:)

Now let's highlight the effect of Vitamin B12 deficiency. We have:
Pernicious Anaemia which basically is a deficiency in the body's ability to produce red blood cells which could lead to

General physical symptoms like

• Being tired or weak, nausea
• Vomiting, diarrhea
• Loss of appetite,
• Weight loss
• Sore mouth or tongue,
• Yellowish skin.

Neurological symptoms of this deficiency can include:

• Numbness or tingling in your hands and feet.
• Having a difficult time walking or speaking like you usually do
• Vision problems.
• Having a hard time remembering things or getting confused easily.

Note: One of the problems of developing neurological issue from vitamin B12 deficiency, is that these neurologically associated side effects triggered by vitamin B12 deficiency might not be reversible.

Psychological symptoms can include:

• Feeling depressed, irritability, and certain behavioral changes

Increased Risk of Bone Fractures: Omeprazole could affect how our bodies take up calcium, a vital mineral for strong bones.

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When the balance of calcium in our bones gets disrupted over time, it might weaken bones, making them more prone to fractures, especially in older adults or those with weaker bones. This is confirmed in a study by Yang et al., 2015. I would spare you the details of these study, but if you are interested, here is the Study Link

Kidney Issues: While the exact reasons aren't entirely clear, some studies suggest that long-term use of Omeprazole might affect how the kidneys work for some people. This could potentially lead to kidney problems (acute renal failure and Chronic kidney disease) for a small number of individuals. No substantial conclusion has been made as regards this, but there has been some links, check out This Study

Infections: Stomach acid helps fight off certain harmful bacteria in our digestive system. When Omeprazole reduces the stomach's acid levels, it might create an environment where these bacteria can thrive more easily, increasing the risk of infections. Now these aren't just my words, it was confirmed in .This Study and This

Rebound Acid Production: Our stomachs get used to the lower acid levels caused by Omeprazole over time. So, when someone stops taking it suddenly, the stomach might overcompensate by producing more acid temporarily. This surge in acid could cause a temporary flare-up of more severe heartburn or related symptoms.

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Now as much as these side effects from long term omeprazole intake are a possibility, they are not guaranteed to happen to everyone who uses Omeprazole long-term. They are possibilities that might occur in some individuals due to how the medication affects the body's processes. Your best bet is to always consult a healthcare professional for guidance on the risks and benefits of any medication, especially when considering long-term use.

Stay safe and as much as possible avoid self-medication

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References

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9577826/#:~:text=Results,likely%20in%20patients%20taking%20PPIs
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7055824/
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4519573/#:~:text=Yang%20et%20al.4%20reported,would%20interfere%20with%20calcium%20absorption.
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1383231/#:~:text=BACKGROUND%3A%20Gastric%20and%20duodenal%20bacterial,more%20frequently%20cause%20bacterial%20overgrowth.
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6463334/

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Credits

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• ^{First image is mine}
• ^{Second Image by Petra Göschel from Pixabay}
• ^{Third Image by OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay}