A report in Newsweek suggests that top-selling acid reflux drugs including Prilosec and Nexium may result in an increased risk in stomach cancer among those who take them.

The news source cited a study in GUT saying that prolonged use of pump inhibitors may double the risk of stomach cancer. According to the GUT study, “people who used the medications for more than three years may have increased their risk of developing stomach cancer eight-fold.”

It should be noted that the study only looked at people who had been treated for infections previously linked to ulcers. Additionally, data for the study came from Hong Kong, where researchers say that stomach tumors are more prevalent than in Western countries.

“Ultimately, the risk of gastric cancer is quite low, but overall, the field is moving toward being cautious with these agents,” Dr. Yelena Janjigian, a gastric cancer specialist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center said, according to Newsweek. “Even before this paper came out, the general trend has been to take people off the therapy.”

We have linked to both the Newsweek article and the GUT study in the source links below.

Pump inhibitors work by decreasing the amount of acid a person’s stomach lining makes. Nexium, in particular, is one of the top-selling drugs around the world, making a profit of $2 billion in 2016.

Has a Dangerous Drug Harmed You?

If you believe you have been harmed by taking Prilosec or Nexium, or any prescription medication, it may be in your best interest to contact our Texas defective drug attorneys. We can research your claim, review your medical records and help determine if you have a case. We have a physician on staff.

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Source: http://gut.bmj.com/content/early/2017/09/18/gutjnl-2017-314605

Source: http://www.newsweek.com/heartburn-and-acid-reflux-drugs-double-risk-stomach-cancer-699596