Acid suppressive drugs may increase pneumonia risk

Washington, Dec 21 (ANI): A new study has suggested that using acid suppressive medications, such as proton pump inhibitors and histamine2 receptor antagonists, may increase the risk of pneumonia.

Acid suppressive drugs are the second leading medication worldwide, totaling over US 26 billion dollars in sales in 2005.

The systematic review incorporated all relevant studies on the association of acid suppressive medications and pneumonia that could be identified to August 2009.

It showed that out of every 200 inpatients being treated with acid suppressive medication one would develop pneumonia.

Chun-Sick Eom and Sang Min Park, Department of Family Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Korea with coauthors concluded that physicians should use caution when prescribing acid suppressive medication, especially in patients with a high risk of developing pneumonia.

The findings have been published in an article in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal). (ANI)