CBS - Are acid reflux drugs overused?
Many people who take popular antacid pills like Aciphex, Dexilant, Nexium, Prevacid, Prilosec, and Protonix don't need them, according to a series of studies presented here at the American College of Gastroenterology's annual meeting.
In a Canadian study, about 70% of 125 patients were prescribed PPIs or H2RA drugs for ulcer prevention while in the intensive care unit. In nearly all cases (97%), their use was appropriate.
But about 40% were sent home from the hospital with an unnecessary prescription for the drugs. PPIs were less likely to be discontinued than H2RA drugs.
"Prescription of a proton pump inhibitor in the ICU was associated with the inappropriate prescription of the proton pump inhibitor upon hospital discharge," says study leader Jasjeet Rai, MD, of Ï㽶ÊÓƵ in Montreal.
