People who take drugs to reduce their acid reflux could be inadvertently increasing their risk of getting a migraine.
Millions Misuse PPIs, H2 Blockers
Acid reflux, characterized by stomach acid flowing back into the esophagus after a meal or when lying down, is often treated with acid-reducing drugs. These medications are widely prescribed for gastric acid-related upper gastrointestinal disorders, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease, Barrett’s esophagus, and peptic ulcer disease.The medications studied include proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) such as Prevacid, Prilosec, Nexium, and Protonix, as well as histamine H2-receptor antagonists such as famotidine, cimetidine, nizatidine, and ranitidine.
Some Acid Reflux Drugs Linked to 70 Percent Higher Odds of Migraines
In the study, Ms. Slavin and her team analyzed data from nearly 12,000 people who used acid-reducing drugs to see if they had experienced migraines or severe headaches within three months of taking the drugs. Nearly 25 percent of participants using PPIs reported experiencing migraines or severe headaches, compared with 19 percent of those not taking the drug.When considering migraines alone, the research team found that participants taking PPIs were 70 percent more likely to develop migraines than those not on the drug.
One in four participants taking H2 blockers reported experiencing severe headaches, compared with one in five of those not on the drug. Participants on H2 blockers were 40 percent more likely to experience migraines than those not taking the drug.
Even simple antacids increased the risk: The research team found that people taking antacids were 30 percent more likely to experience migraines than those who weren’t taking any form of acid-reducing drugs.
The research team found differences among age, gender, and socioeconomic classes. Younger women with lower poverty-to-income ratios tended to have more migraines or severe headaches. Diet also affected the outcome; people with lower-quality diets experienced more migraines and severe headaches. Also, participants with little to no alcohol consumption experienced fewer severe headaches and migraines.
While the research team could not pinpoint the exact correlation between migraines and the use of acid-reducing medications, early research suggests that the gut microbiome has the potential to influence migraines.
Are They Worth the Risk?
The research team noted that migraines are not the only risk associated with acid-reducing medications.“These drugs are often considered to be overprescribed, and new research has shown other risks tied to long-term use of proton pump inhibitors, such as an increased risk of dementia,” Ms. Slavin noted in a statement.
Other potential health risks associated with taking PPIs for an extended period include increased risk of bone fractures, kidney disease, gastrointestinal infections, and magnesium deficiency.
