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People who take acid-suppressing drugs appear more susceptible to hip fractures. Scientists at Kaiser Permanente compared data from nearly 40,000 patients taking drugs like Prevacid or Zantac to 130,000 records of patients not taking heartburn medicine. After just two years on the medications, people were at greater risk of breaking a hip. Previous studies had implicated long-term use of proton-pump inhibitors like Nexium, Prevacid or Prilosec. This is the first study to show a danger from short-term use or older acid-blocking drugs like Pepcid, Tagamet or Zantac. Those on the highest doses had the greatest risk, with people in their 50s showing the greatest increase in fractures.
[Digestive Diseases Week annual meeting, Chicago, 2009]
I have had asthma since I was 3 yo. I have also taken corticosteroids & other asthma drugs my entire life. I have been on ranitidine (zantac) since 2002 because of reflux from the asthma meds.
I have recently had a very severe shattered distal radius & possible druj displacement. I'm going to have my 3rd surgery in 5 months on 06/23/09.
I also have a right hip & knee problem due to avn.
could rantidine (zantac) have caused or weakened the bones and made them fracture more easily?
I have been diagnosed with a hiatal hernia and GERD. My gastroenterologist put me on Nexium, and when I asked him about the connection between Nexium and fractures, he told me that previous studies were flawed.
So I filled the prescription for the generic form of Nexium. I also have osteopenia and am on the generic form of Fosamax. I've tried all the prevention measures such as elevating the head of the bed, not overeating and have ~ 20 pounds yet to lose. Is there anything else so I can stop taking the Nexium? As I understand it, I should not stop it abruptly. Thanks.