Do heartburn medications cause hip fractures?

A study in this week's Journal of the American Medical Association raises concerns about patients who use medications to treat heartburn. The study found that patients using heartburn medications called proton pump inhibitors (such as Nexium, Prevacid, and Prilosec) for at least one year, developed a higher chance of having a hip fracture in their lifetime. The reason for the increase in hip fractures in these patients, according to the study authors, may be due to the body's inability to absorb adequate calcium after the acid level is lowered in the stomach.

What are the implications of this study?
As with any preliminary study, this problem needs to be evaluated further. This study is not proof of a problem, however it does show a correlation between patients who use proton pump inhibitors for long periods (more than one year) and patients who have hip fractures. If you are on a proton-pump inhibitor:

• Contact your doctor, and discuss the potential risks and benefits of the use of this medication. In many patients, the effects of discontinuing the medication may be worse than the increased risk of a broken hip. It is important to note, according to the statistics in this study, the increased risk means that for every 1,262 patients treated with proton pump inhibitors, one will sustain a hip fracture attributable to the medication.

The important bottom line to remember, is that all medications have potential side-effects. While all medications can serve useful purpose, any medication has the potential of causing problems as well. It is important to understand your medications, know why you take each medication, and know what are the potential side-effects of those medications .

Related: What is a hip fracture? | Bone Density Test