FDA Says Proton Pump Inhibitors Side Effects Can Include Low Magnesium Levels

Washington, DCAccording to a recent release from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), long-term proton pump inhibitor use can lead to low serum magnesium levels, which can cause adverse events such as seizures.

span itemprop="image" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/ImageObject" style="display:block">In addition, the federal agency said that in approximately one quarter of the cases examined, supplementation of magnesium did not improve the levels of serum magnesium, meaning the patients needed to stop using the proton pump inhibitors.

The inhibitors are used in the treatment of conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease, ulcers and inflammation of the esophagus, according to the FDA. They work by lowering the amount of acid in the stomach.

According to the National Library of Medicine, gastroesophageal reflux disease "happens when a muscle at the end of [one's] esophagus does not close properly."

The FDA recommends that healthcare professionals should take a patient's serum magnesium level prior to prescribing proton pump inhibitors. The information detailing these new potential risks will reportedly be added to the labels of prescription proton pump inhibitors, the agency said.