Smartest Doc
Proton pump inhibitors: are they overutilised in clinical practice and do they pose significant risk
International Journal of Clinical Practice, 06/01/2012
Clinical Article
Heidelbaugh JJ et al. – Proton pump inhibitors are highly effective acid suppressants with decades of use highlighting positive outcomes in millions of patients worldwide, and they offer minimal risk of adverse events. PPIs are considered overutilised when prescribed without an appropriate indication, when patients are left on them `indefinitely' without appropriate indications and when they are continued after being utilised for most cases of hospital SUP. While several adverse outcomes have been linked to PPI therapy, most data are from retrospective observational studies that may be subject to confounding and bias.