This Popular Kind Of Heartburn Medicine Can Increase Stroke Risk

This study further questions the cardiovascular safety of these drugs,” Sehested said. Although the study found an association between PPIs and stroke risk, it does not prove cause and effect. More studies are needed, and doctors should consider if and for how long patients should take these drugs, the researchers said. [7 Bizarre Drug Side Effects] PPIs are not the only medicines available to treat heartburn. The researchers noted that another type of heartburn medication, called a histamine H2 antagonist, was found to have no association with stroke risk in the study. Histamine H2 antagonists include famotidine (Pepcid) and ranitidine (Zantac). The authors said that they couldn’t conclude whether these drugs were better for people than PPIs, however. Histamine H2 agonists can also have side effects, although they are rare, according to information about the drugs from the Mayo Clinic. The new findings have not been published in a peer-reviewed journal. Originally published on Live Science. Editor’s Recommendations 7 Things That May Raise Your Risk of Stroke Top 10 Amazing Facts About Your Heart 9 Healthy Habits You Can Do in 1 Minute (Or Less) -- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.
Source: Science - The Huffington Post - Category: Science Source Type: news