Proton-pump inhibitor use is associated with a broad spectrum of neurological adverse events including impaired hearing, vision, and memory

Sci Rep. 2019 Nov 21;9(1):17280. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-53622-3.

Abstract

Proton-pump inhibitors, PPIs, are considered effective therapy for stomach acid suppression due to their irreversible inhibition of the hydrogen/potassium pump in the gastric parietal cells. They are widely prescribed and are considered safe for over-the-counter use. Recent studies have shown an association between PPI use and Alzheimer dementia, while others have disputed that connection. We analyzed over ten million United States Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System reports, including over forty thousand reports containing PPIs, and provided evidence of increased propensity for memory impairment among PPI reports when compared to histamine-2 receptor antagonist control group. Furthermore, we found significant associations of PPI use with a wide range of neurological adverse reactions including, migraine, several peripheral neuropathies, and visual and auditory neurosensory abnormalities.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems / statistics & numerical data
  • Aged
  • Female
  • Hearing Loss / chemically induced*
  • Hearing Loss / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Memory Disorders / chemically induced*
  • Memory Disorders / epidemiology
  • Middle Aged
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / epidemiology
  • Proton Pump Inhibitors / adverse effects*
  • United States / epidemiology
  • United States Food and Drug Administration / statistics & numerical data
  • Vision Disorders / chemically induced*
  • Vision Disorders / epidemiology

Substances

  • Proton Pump Inhibitors