Omeprazole, which is sold under the commercial name Prilosec, is a proton pump inhibitor used to suppress the production of stomach acid 1. Windett says AstraZeneca also notes the study's limits and agrees with the editorialists that further research is needed and that patients and doctors should "weigh the proven benefits of these medications against any potential risks." Our The other PPI drugmakers didn't respond before deadline.WebMD also contacted the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), which declined to comment on the study.Judee Shuler, senior director, corporate communications, Eisai Inc.WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.Makers of PPIs tell WebMD they haven't seen any signs of increased osteoporosis-related fracture risk in people using their products.The drug company AstraZeneca makes Nexium. Using PPIs for six or fewer years wasn't linked to fracture risk.Hip fracture risk may have started earlier. Patients should talk to their doctors if they have concerns about bone health while taking Nexium or any other PPI, says Windett. Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor that decreases the amount of acid produced in the stomach.. Omeprazole is used to treat symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease and other conditions caused by excess stomach acid.It is also used to promote healing of erosive esophagitis (damage to your esophagus caused by stomach acid).. Omeprazole may also be given together with … So WebMD contacted the makeJudee Shuler, senior director of corporate communications for Eisai Inc., which makes Aciphex, states that the Canadian results "warrant further study, as these fractures are important medical issues that can occur for a variety of reasons. Talk to their doctors, the editorialists suggest. She says Nexium's safety and efficacy have been "consistently demonstrated." If you are between the ages of 18 and 60, take no other medication or have no other … "Targownik's study doesn't specify which PPIs the patients took. Popular heartburn medications such as Prilosec (omeprazole) and Nexium (esomeprazole) may inadvertently up your chances of catching COVID-19, new research suggests. She specializes in health and nutrition articles. // Leaf Group Lifestyle People who take omeprazole and other proton pump inhibitors for a year or longer are more likely to develop fractures of the spine, hips and wrists, according to the FDA People over 50 are more likely to suffer from increased fractures after taking omeprazole, according to the FDA Patients who experience calcium depletion after chronic omeprazole use may notice symptoms such as weakness, lack of energy, loss of appetite and constipation Patients at high risk for bone diseases should be careful when they take omeprazole and other proton pump inhibitors Destiny Simmons has worked as a professional health writer since 2005. Osteoporosis Fractures May Be More Common in People Who Use Proton Pump Inhibitors for at Least 7 YearsThat news comes from a Canadian study of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and The study shows a link between long-term use of proton pump inhibitors and greater likelihood of But that association took years to appear, and the study doesn't prove that PPIs were to blame for any fractures. If a woman were taking an acid-suppressing drug such as esomeprazole (Nexium), lansoprazole (Prevacid), omeprazole (Prilosec) or pantoprazole (Protonix) and then were tested for bone mineral density, she might be found to have osteopenia (early bone weakness) or osteoporosis. Downsides. Destiny holds a Bachelors of Science in nursing from Boston University and a Master of Public Health Nutrition from Tufts University. This product is used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease, a condition in which a backward flow of stomach acid causes heartburn and sores in the lining of the esophagus.