Recent Blog Articles
Ready for your routine medical checkup?
Nicotine addiction explained — and how medications can help
Is your vision impaired? Tips to cope
Misgendering: What it is and why it matters
Healthy brain, healthier heart?
Stories connect us
Wondering about a headline-grabbing drug? Read on
Respiratory virus cases tick upward: What parents should know
Hope: Why it matters
Will new guidelines for heart failure affect you?
Diseases & Conditions
What you should know about: PPIs
If you suffer from chronic heartburn or another digestive disorder, you may have been prescribed a proton-pump inhibitor (PPI), which helps reduce the production of stomach acid. There are several different types of PPIs. Prescription-only PPIs include esomeprazole (Nexium) and pantoprazole (Protonix). Some PPIs are also available over the counter, including lansoprazole (Prevacid) and omeprazole (Prilosec).
How they work
PPIs work by inhibiting certain stomach cells from "pumping" acid into the stomach. When taken 30 to 60 minutes before a meal, PPIs can prevent or reduce heartburn. However, they do not work as well when taken on demand as they do when taken over a period of time. And while PPIs are generally safe when used in the short term, they do carry some risks in the long term. Unfortunately, the medications tend to be overused. "I think a lot of people get heartburn from taking medications or ingesting certain food and drinks. To treat their symptoms they get PPIs over the counter or from their physicians," says Dr. Jacqueline Wolf, associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School.
To continue reading this article, you must log in.
Subscribe to Harvard Health Online for immediate access to health news and information from Harvard Medical School.
- Research health conditions
- Check your symptoms
- Prepare for a doctor's visit or test
- Find the best treatments and procedures for you
- Explore options for better nutrition and exercise
I'd like to receive access to Harvard Health Online for only $4.99 a month.
Sign Me UpAlready a member? Login ».
Disclaimer:
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
