Current use of proton pump inhibitors and when to limit, stop or not start treatment

Abstract

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are potent inhibitors of gastric acid secretion that have changed treatment practice for gastric acid–related disorders. The major adequate indications for their use are treatment of gastro-esophageal reflux disease, peptic ulcers, eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection in combination with antibiotics and prophylaxis for patients on non-steroidal anti-inflammatory or antiplatelet drugs. Since their introduction, clinical success has been accompanied by widespread use of PPIs, which has steadily increased over the last decades without concomitant increase in the incidence of acid-related disorders. PPIs are now among the most widely prescribed class of medications worldwide and around 10% of Icelanders are current PPI users. This increase has been linked to PPI prescription without an indication, or continued use for longer duration than recommended. In recent years, concerns have been raised about PPI overuse and the associated increased risk of harm, not only in terms of increased costs but also the potential risk of physical dependence and long-term side effects of PPIs. The article is based on search in PubMed, the authors’ own clinical experience and research, and is intended to provide practice advice on the use of PPIs with focus on appropriate prescription and deprescription of PPIs.