Proton pump inhibitors (Prevacid, Nexium, Prilosec), commonly given to those with acid reflux, significantly increase chance of hip fractures when taken long term.
JAMA. 2006;296(24):2947-2953. doi: 10.1001/jama.296.24.2947
Long-term Proton Pump Inhibitor Therapy and Risk of Hip Fracture
Yu-Xiao Yang, MD, MSCE; James D. Lewis, MD, MSCE; Solomon Epstein, MD; David C. Metz, MD
Results There were 13 556 hip fracture cases and 135 386 controls. The adjusted odds ratio (AOR) for hip fracture associated with more than 1 year of PPI therapy was 1.44 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.30-1.59). The risk of hip fracture was significantly increased among patients prescribed long-term high-dose PPIs (AOR, 2.65; 95% CI, 1.80-3.90; P<.001). The strength of the association increased with increasing duration of PPI therapy (AOR for 1 year, 1.22 [95% CI, 1.15-1.30]; 2 years, 1.41 [95% CI, 1.28-1.56]; 3 years, 1.54 [95% CI, 1.37-1.73]; and 4 years, 1.59 [95% CI, 1.39-1.80]; P<.001 for all comparisons).
Conclusion Long-term PPI therapy, particularly at high doses, is associated with an increased risk of hip fracture.
