Acid reflux drug taken by millions could HARM your digestion, warns top pharmacist

According to a leading pharmacist, the drugs that millions of Britons take to treat acid reflux and heartburn may eventually negatively affect digestion.

The “Godmother of Pharmacology,” Deborah Grayson, used TikTok to talk about the potential effects of the proton pump inhibitor (PPI) omeprazole on gut health.

In the video, which has received over 42,000 views, Mrs. Grayson stated that although the medications could provide patients with short-term respite, they may also result in side effects, such as nausea and bloating, weight gain, and vitamin deficiencies.

With 73 million NHS prescriptions written in England in 2022–2023 at a cost of £190 million, PPIs are among the most prescribed medications in the UK.

“Omeprazole stops heartburn and reflux, but how does it really work?” she clarified.

It is a proton pump inhibitor, which disrupts the stomach cells that produce stomach acid.

Therefore, the idea is that by taking a PPI to stop the stomach from making acid, we can prevent the acid from returning to the oesophagus and creating reflux and heartburn.

The question of whether low or high stomach acid is linked to heartburn is frequently debated.

Actually, though, it has to do with when the stomach acid is released.

We need that acid to break down our food, so while preventing your stomach from making it can be helpful in the short term, it may not be the best option for your digestion over time.

Omeprazole may be beneficial if you have gastritis or oesophageal erosion, but it may have more detrimental effects on your body over time if you merely have mild heartburn-related issues.

Heartburn, a burning feeling in the chest or throat, is frequently caused by acid reflux, which occurs when stomach acid runs back into the oesophagus.

This is normally prevented by a valve known as the lower esophageal sphincter, but acid can leak out and irritate the oesophagus if it weakens or relaxes at the wrong time.

Stress, being overweight, eating too rapidly, and ingesting chocolate, coffee, and alcohol are all triggers.

Hormones during pregnancy may also increase the risk.

While reflux is painful, stomach acid is required for digesting.

It helps soften meals by activating the enzyme pepsin, which breaks down proteins.

Additionally, it guards against dangerous food microbes.

According to Mrs. Grayson, low stomach acid can make infections more likely and make it more difficult for the body to absorb important nutrients including iron, calcium, magnesium, and vitamin B12.

“Long-term use of PPIs can significantly impair digestion,” stated Mrs. Grayson, a pharmacist with thirty years of experience who now heads Practice With Confidence, a program that teaches transformative patient care.

The breakdown of food, especially proteins, and the activation of enzymes like pepsin depend heavily on stomach acid.

Food may not be effectively digested when acid levels are too low, which can result in symptoms like bloating, nausea, and stomach pain as well as IBS-related problems like flatulence, constipation, or diarrhea.

Fatigue or changes in weight may result from poor digestion, which also contributes to nutrient malabsorption.

Additionally, decreased stomach acid can weaken the gut’s natural defenses, making the body more vulnerable to infections including Campylobacter, Clostridium difficile, and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO).

These may result in more gastrointestinal issues as well as potentially dangerous side effects.

In a recent video, Mrs. Grayson, who goes by the TikTok handle @tgopharm, highlighted how lifestyle modifications can significantly improve heartburn and acid reflux symptoms.

For optimal digestion, it is crucial to eat slowly and attentively.

Mrs. Grayson advised beginning the ‘anticipation process’ 20 to 30 minutes prior to eating if you’re too busy to prepare meals.

“Consider what you are going to have, how it tastes, and how it smells,” she said.

In the same manner as making it yourself would have, this can set off the anticipatory reaction.

Modern lifestyles have resulted in many people deciding they are hungry, racing into the nearest food shop and devouring food within minutes.

As a result, symptoms worsen as the body has to catch up.

Mrs. Grayson suggested ‘disconnecting from technology and practicing some alternate nostril breathing’ in another video that was posted on her website. This will assist turn on your digestion and lessen reflux.

Additionally, she advised avoiding trigger foods like chocolate, coffee, citrus, peppermint, and tomatoes, as well as allowing time between meals and sleep because lying down with a full stomach might aggravate reflux.

According to Mrs. Grayson, it’s best to have three hours between your last meal and bedtime.

The pharmacist has already discussed the negative effects of omeprazole, including how it can worsen symptoms over time and lead to dependence.

“By overprescribing without a clear reason and failing to provide patients with a clear exit strategy from the treatment, we are sleepwalking into a significant culture of PPI addiction,” she continued.