Heartburn Drugs Linked to Pneumonia: Nexium, Prevacid, Prilosec, and More

Heartburn drugs of all types are hugely popular. From Alka Seltzer to Zantac, heartburn drugs come in chewables, liquids, and pills, most of which are designed to neutralize or reduce the amount of acid in your stomach. Just like any other medications, though, heartburn drugs have side effects. For example, a recent study shows just about all heartburn drugs are linked to pneumonia, including Nexium, Prevacid, and Prilosec.

The link between heartburn drugs and pneumonia is likely due to the reduction of stomach acid caused by these drugs. In many ways, stomach acid is viewed as bad since it causes heartburn, acid reflux symptoms, and other painful conditions. But stomach acid is also necessary for survival. In addition to digesting food, stomach acid provides a first defense against viruses, bacteria, and other harmful organisms entering your body through your mouth. Therefore, heartburn drugs may be linked to pneumonia because, by reducing stomach acid, you also are reducing your body’s defense against the germs causing pneumonia.

The risk of heartburn drugs being linked to pneumonia is very small, about one extra case of pneumonia per year for every 100 people taking acid-suppressing drugs, according to a study from the Netherlands. The study found that the link between heartburn drugs and pneumonia seems to be most noticeable in proton pump inhibitors like Nexium, Prevacid, and Prilosec, but other studies have suggested that any acid reducing or acid reflux medication could possibly affect the body’s ability to fight pneumonia.

If you are taking heartburn drugs you should remain aware of the symptoms of pneumonia, especially if your immunity to illness is weakened. Pneumonia usually comes with a high fever, chest pain, phlegm-producing cough, and shortness of breath. The elderly and other fragile patients seem to be at greater risk for pneumonia.