Off-label use of proton pump inhibitors

Use and overuse of proton pump inhibitors

In 2009, an editorial by Putman focused on the dramatic increase in the use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) in infants [1]. Considering the increasing evidence that PPIs offer little benefit for most of the symptoms for which they are prescribed, Putman strongly highlighted the need for a serious effort to curtail their empiric use. The editorial was linked to a study by Orenstein et al, which...

Proton-Pump Inhibitors: Reducing their Unnecessary Use

While proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) have beneficial therapeutic and prophylactic indications for many patients, increasing evidence suggests that these medications are not without risk; inpatient use of PPIs has been shown to increase the risk of hospital-acquired pneumonia by up to 30% [2]. Community-acquired pneumonia is also more common in patients who have started PPI therapy within the pas...

Proton Pump Inhibitors: Omeprazole

Oral Proton Pump Inhibitors

There is currently a lack of evidence to suggest superior clinical efficacy of one oral proton pump inhibitor over any other. Proton pump inhibitors display similar doseresponse relationships with similar potencies and efficacies at the equivalent dose. The decision to select one proton pump inhibitor over another is likely to be based on the agents’ licensed indication, patient tolerability an...

Intravenous proton pump inhibitors.

Intravenous (IV) administration of a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) is a faster way to achieve gastric acid suppression than oral administration of the same agent. Peak suppression after IV administration occurs within hours, compared with several days later after oral administration. Thus the IV route of administration offers a faster onset of gastric suppression, achievement of intragastric pH c...