Powerful Antacids Boost Chances of Hip Fracture

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Moreover, Yang thinks that both men and women taking prescription proton pump inhibitors should also take a calcium supplement to insure that they maintain their bone mass and lower their risk of hip fracture.

One expert thinks that people should not be overly concerned with this finding unless it is confirmed by other studies.

"This is a new observation," said Dr. Lawrence Brandt, chief of the Division of Gastroenterology at Montefiore Medical Center, in New York City. "It's exciting on the one hand, and alarming on the other hand. People should be aware that there are some data that show that there may be a higher risk of fracture."

Although Brandt agreed that these drugs are prescribed too often and used by some people for too long a time, he noted the findings shouldn't change clinical practice yet.

"If someone doesn't need proton pump inhibitors, they shouldn't be on the drug," he said. "Proton pump inhibitors are probably one of the most abused classes of drugs in the world. So, there are a lot of people on this medication who shouldn't be on this medication."

In addition, people should only take these medications for as long as necessary to treat the condition it's been prescribed for, Brandt said. "If you have to take it for a long time, then you should also have your bone density followed once a year," he added.

Brandt is not concerned with the safety of the over-the-counter versions of these drugs. "Most people who take drugs over-the-counter don't take them in a rigorous fashion," he said. "They take them when they need them, and their dose regimen is not going to be sufficiently compulsive and regimented that this is going to be a problem."

More information

The U.S. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases can tell you more about GERD.