Prilosec, Nexium and Prevacid May Increase Heart Attack Risk

People who take common antacid drugs called proton pump inhibitors are more likely to have a heart attack than people who don’t use these drugs. The rate of heart attacks was 16% to 21% higher. That’s according to a new study that looked at the medical records of almost 4 million people. Proton pump inhibitors are used to treat some ulcers, heartburn (also called GERD) and other causes of upset stomach. About 1 in 14 people in the United States takes or has taken one of these popular drugs, which include the brand names Prilosec, Nexium and Prevacid. The research was featured in the online journal, PLOS ONE. And HealthDay News wrote about it June 10.