Latest analysis signifies that individuals utilizing acid-reducing medicines could face a better danger of migraines and extreme complications, highlighting the significance of additional investigation and affected person session with healthcare suppliers.
In keeping with analysis printed in Neurology Medical Observe, an official journal of the American Academy of Neurology, people who use acid-reducing medicines could face a higher danger of experiencing migraines and different extreme complications in comparison with those that don’t use these medicine. The examine highlights acid-reducing medicine together with proton pump inhibitors like omeprazole and esomeprazole, histamine H2-receptor antagonists, or H2 blockers equivalent to cimetidine and famotidine, and antacid dietary supplements.
The examine doesn’t show that acid-reducing medicine trigger migraine; it solely exhibits an affiliation.
Acid reflux disorder is when abdomen acid flows into the esophagus, often after a meal or when mendacity down. Individuals with acid reflux disorder could expertise heartburn and ulcers. Individuals with frequent acid reflux disorder could develop gastroesophageal reflux illness, or GERD, which may result in most cancers of the esophagus.
Research Methodology and Outcomes
“Given the broad utilization of acid-reducing medicine and these potential implications with migraine, these outcomes warrant additional investigation,” mentioned examine writer Margaret Slavin, PhD, RDN, of the College of Maryland in School Park. “These medicine are sometimes thought of to be overprescribed, and new analysis has proven different dangers tied to long-term use of proton pump inhibitors, equivalent to an elevated danger of dementia.”
For the examine, researchers checked out information on 11,818 individuals who offered data on use of acid-reducing medicine and whether or not they had migraine or extreme headache previously three months.
A complete of 25% of individuals taking proton pump inhibitors had migraine or extreme headache, in comparison with 19% of those that weren’t taking the medicine. A complete of 25% of these taking H2 blockers had extreme headache, in comparison with 20% of those that weren’t taking these medicine. And 22% of these taking antacid dietary supplements had extreme headache, in comparison with 20% of these not taking antacids.
Changes and Observations
When researchers adjusted for different elements that would have an effect on the danger of migraine, equivalent to age, intercourse, and use of caffeine and alcohol, they discovered that individuals taking proton pump inhibitors have been 70% extra more likely to have migraine than individuals not taking proton pump inhibitors. These taking H2 blockers have been 40% extra doubtless and people taking antacid dietary supplements have been 30% extra doubtless.
“It’s essential to notice that many individuals do want acid-reducing medicines to handle acid reflux disorder or different circumstances, and other people with migraine or extreme headache who’re taking these medicine or dietary supplements ought to discuss with their medical doctors about whether or not they need to proceed,” Slavin mentioned.
Slavin famous that the examine regarded solely at pharmaceuticals. Among the medicine turned out there for over-the-counter use at non-prescription energy in the course of the examine interval, however using these over-the-counter medicine was not included on this examine.
Different research have proven that individuals with gastrointestinal circumstances could also be extra more likely to have migraine, however Slavin mentioned that the connection will not be more likely to absolutely clarify the tie between acid-reducing medicine and migraine discovered within the examine.
A limitation of the examine is {that a} small variety of individuals have been taking the medicine, particularly the H2 blockers.
Reference: “Use of Acid-Suppression Remedy and Odds of Migraine and Extreme Headache within the Nationwide Well being and Diet Examination Survey” by Margaret Slavin, Cara L. Frankenfeld, Alexander B. Guirguis and Elizabeth Okay. Seng, 24 April 2024, Neurology Medical Observe.
DOI: 10.1212/CPJ.0000000000200302
