some heartburn drugs may raise risk of hip fractures

Posted on: Wed, 12/27/2006 - 10:19 By: Tom Swiss

Reuters reports on a study showing that some anti-heartburn drugs ("proton pump inhibitors", which shut down stomach acid production) increase the risk of hip fractures in older adults, by up to 44 percent. The longer the use and the higher the dosage, the greater the risk. The drugs may reduce the body's ability to absorb calcium.