Heartburn Drugs Do Not Pose Risk

Amy Schauers

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In May, the pharmaceutical company that makes Prilosec and Nexium, gave the FDA findings from small preliminary trials. During the trials, some cardiac "events" were seen showing a possibility that long-term use of Prilosec and Nexium could increase the risk of heart attack, heart failure and heart-related sudden death, the FDA said at the time.

Due to these findings, AstraZeneca, maker of the two drugs, gave the FDA more detailed data from the two initial studies as well as findings from 14 other studies. Government officials announced today that the drugs are safe.

Dr. Paul Seligman, associate director of the FDA's Office of Safety Policy and Communication at the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, told reporters that the agency "had completed our safety review, and our current assessment is that studies do not show a risk for heart attack or heart-related problems."

The FDA further recommended that physicians continue to prescribe the drugs and patients and the public may continue to use them as directed. However, the FDA continues to investigate the possibility that Prilosec and Nexuim increase the risk of hip fracture in patients over fifty (50) years old.

For more information on this subject, please refer to the section on Drugs, Medical Devices, and Implants.