Daily medication taken by millions found to increase risk of dementia by 33%

A commonly used medication may be linked to a higher risk of dementia, according to researchers studying the long-term effects of proton pump inhibitors, also known as PPIs.

The medications – including Omeprazole, Lansoprazole, and Pantoprazole – are widely prescribed to treat acid reflux and heartburn. Doctors typically recommend taking PPIs once a day for a limited period. Long-term use, however, has previously been associated with a growing list of potential side effects – including a possible increased risk of dementia.

A 2023 study found that people who used PPIs over an extended period were 33 percent more likely to develop dementia, according to LadBible. American scientists analyzed data from 5,712 adults between the ages of 45 and 64 who did not have dementia at the beginning of the study. Nearly 1,500 participants – about 26 percent – were taking PPIs.

After accounting for factors including age, race, sex, and existing health conditions, researchers noticed a pattern among long-term users of the medications. Of the 497 people who had taken PPIs for roughly four and a half years, 58 later developed dementia.

“This study does not prove that acid reflux drugs cause dementia,” neurologist Dr Kamakshi Lakshminarayan said, according to LadBible. “It only shows an association.

“More research is needed to confirm our findings in other large study groups and understand the possible link between long-term proton pump inhibitor use and higher risk of dementia.

“While we did not find a link with short-term use, we did find a higher risk of dementia associated with long-term use of these drugs.”

Researchers have also explored possible explanations for the connection.