Omeoprazole is one of the most prescribed and used drugs in Italy: it is commonly found in household drawers and is taken every day by millions of people against heartburn, gastroesophageal reflux, gastritis and ulcers. It is part of the class of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), medicines that work by blocking the production of acid in the stomach.
But today comes a new alarm bell from a scientific study published in Neurology Clinical Practicea journal affiliated with the American Academy of Neurology. Researchers observed a possible association between the use of PPI medications and an increased risk of migraines and severe headaches. And the numbers are not small.
The results of the study
In detail, the study analyzed the data of hundreds of patients: among those who used drugs to reduce stomach acid – such as omeoprazole, esomeprazole, lansoprazole and pantoprazole – 25% reported recurrent episodes of migraine or severe headache, compared to 19% of those who did not use them.
An already significant difference, but which increased even more when researchers took into account other factors such as age, caffeine or alcohol consumption and gender differences. After this analysis, it emerged that patients taking PPIs would have a 70% increased risk of suffering from migraines.
The study also included other acid-suppressing drugs such as H2 receptor blockers, for example cimetidine and famotidine, which showed similar effects.
No definitive proof, but if you suffer from migraines and take omeprazole, talk to your doctor
The researchers emphasize that this is a statistical association, not definitive proof of cause and effect. However, the signal is clear and worrying, especially considering that we are talking about drugs taken every day by millions of people, often for long periods, as explained Margaret Slavin, of the University of Maryland and author of the study:
These drugs are extremely widespread, but their long-term effects need to be better investigated. Migraine sufferers who take PPIs or antacid supplements should talk to their doctor. Not everyone can stop these medications, but it is important to evaluate the risks and find alternatives.
The debate is also reopening in the United Kingdom, where the National Health System (NHS) has issued a warning: anyone who takes omeprazole for more than two consecutive weeks should consult their doctor to check whether it is really necessary to continue.
If you are taking omeprazole or another PPI, do not stop on your own. The advice is simple: talk to your doctor, especially if you suffer from frequent headaches or migraines that you have never had before. It may be time to consider a different approach, or to reduce the use of the drug gradually.
While PPIs remain useful and often necessary, it is important not to trivialize their use. Prevention and information are the first step towards truly informed care.
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