Proton pump inhibitors work by blocking an enzyme that is necessary for making acid in the stomach.
By blocking the enzyme, acid production decreases.
By putting hydrogen ions into your stomach, the proton pump increases the acidity of your stomach contents.
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Stomach acid is necessary to help break down food and aid digestion.
When excess acid becomes problematic, proton pump inhibitor drugs are often prescribed to shut down the proton pump.
While NSAIDs are often an effective arthritis treatment, the drugs are associated with gastrointestinal toxicity.
This complication is largely due to prostaglandin inhibition by NSAIDs.
The combination of a PPI drug with an NSAID is not necessary in all cases.
PPI drugs have actually become overused.
According toConsumer Reports, the drugs are essentially equivalent in terms of effectiveness and safety but differ in cost.
Don’t stop the drugs without discussing it with your healthcare provider first.
Stopping suddenly may actually increase symptoms.
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