Millions of people taking acid reflux medications could be at increased risk of migraine, experts have warned.
Scientists have discovered that medications commonly taken to treat symptoms such as chest pain, heartburn, and difficulty swallowing can cause debilitating headaches.
Medications include proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) such as omeprazole and esomeprazole, H2 blockers such as cimetidine and famotidine, and antacid supplements, all of which are available in the UK.
Researchers at the University of Maryland analyzed data from more than 11,800 people who provided information about their use of acid-reducing drugs and whether they had experienced a migraine or severe headache in the past three months.
The analysis revealed that people taking PPIs were 70 percent more likely to suffer from migraine than people not taking them, those taking H2 blockers were 40 percent more likely, and those taking antacid supplements were 30 percent more likely. more than likely.
Medications include proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), such as omeprazole and esomeprazole (pictured), histamine H2 receptor antagonists or H2 blockers, such as cimetidine and famotidine, and antacid supplements. Prilosec is a brand name version of omeprazole
Acid reflux is caused by stomach acid flowing into the esophagus, the tube that connects the mouth and stomach.
It usually appears after a meal or while lying down, and can cause heartburn and ulcers. Around a quarter of the UK population suffers from reflux.
Study author Margaret Slavin said: “Given the widespread use of acid-reducing drugs and these potential implications with migraine, these results warrant further investigation.”
“These drugs are often considered overprescribed, and new research has shown other risks associated with long-term use of proton pump inhibitors, such as an increased risk of dementia.
“It is important to note that many people need acid-reducing medications to control acid reflux or other conditions, and people with migraine or severe headaches who take these medications or supplements should talk to their doctors about whether they should continue.”
Other studies have shown that people with gastrointestinal conditions may be more likely to suffer from migraines.
But Slavin said that relationship is unlikely to fully explain the link between acid-reducing drugs and migraine found in this research.
He also said that the medications analyzed in the study were all prescription medications and not over-the-counter medications.
A study published last year found a potential link between taking heartburn medication for more than four and a half years and developing dementia later in life.
Scientists at the University of Minnesota found that people who had taken PPIs for more than 4.4 years were 33 percent more likely to develop dementia than those who did not take any medication.