FDA: Warn the Public About PPIs and Pneumonia!

ANH-USA is submitting a Citizens Petition to the FDA concerning the increased risk of pneumonia that is associated with proton pump inhibitor (PPI) medications for acid reflux. This effect has been documented for a number of years, yet the agency has so far refused to update these drugs’ label warning to reflect this danger. This side effect is especially concerning given the current pandemic, which attacks the respiratory system. It is time to force the FDA’s hand.

Write to the FDA, with a copy to Congress, urging them to add a warning about PPIs and pneumonia to these drugs' labels.

Recipients

Your Senators
Your Representative
Food and Drug Administration

Contact

*Required fields

* Title:

* First Name:

* Last Name:

* Your Email:

* Address 1:

Address 2:

* City:

* State / Province:

* ZIP / Postal Code:

Country:

* Phone Number:

Yes, I would like to receive periodic updates and communications from Alliance for Natural Health USA.

Remember me. What's this?

Message

Please warn the public about PPIs and pneumonia risk

Dear [Decision Maker],

* Personalize your message

The link between proton pump inhibitor (PPI) medications and pneumonia has been documented for a number of years, yet the FDA has so far refused to update these drugs' label warning to reflect this danger. This side effect is especially concerning given the current pandemic, which attacks the respiratory system.

These widely prescribed drugs (Prilosec and Prevacid are popular brand names) block the production of stomach acid and are used to treat heartburn and GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). PPIs have been linked with increased risk of pneumonia  which is of particular concern with COVID-19 and the respiratory damage that characterizes advanced cases. 
The mechanism by which PPIs cause pneumonia is not fully understood, but one theory is that they compromise the stomach's "acid mantle" against gastric colonization of bacteria.  Normally, gastric pH is around 2, which effectively limits bacterial colonization from ingested microbes; PPIs increase this pH to above 4 for approximately 24 hours, compromising this natural defense mechanism. PPIs may also lead to delayed gastric emptying, increased gastric contents, larger bacterial loads, and increased pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter, causing reflux that brings bacteria back up into the respiratory tract and thus increases the likelihood of infection. Another theory is that PPIs reduce the acidity of the upper digestive tract which results in increased bacterial colonization of the larynx, esophagus, and lungs.

PPIs also impact the gastrointestinal microbiota, which could be linked to reducing immunity and hence increasing pneumonia risk. This is key. We're currently living through a viral pandemic that attacks the respiratory system. Not only do PPIs weaken our immune response overall, they make us more susceptible to a respiratory infection that could put us more at risk for COVID-19 complications.

Important research has found that PPIs shut off acid pumps, not just in the stomach, but in every other cell of the body. This interferes with the way cells make energy and detoxify. It also results in "systematically compromised immunity." Referring to his research on PPIs and their effect on the lysosomes, one doctor summed it up like this: "I think we now have a smoking gun," referring to the mechanism by which PPIs cause the wide range of negative health effects that have been documented.

There are an estimated 4.9 million cases of pneumonia in the US per year, requiring more than 250,000 hospitalizations and resulting in 50,000 deaths. The cost of treating pneumonia in the US is estimated to be $13.4 billion. PPIs could be costing us billions of dollars a year in healthcare costs for pneumonia alone, not to mention the other health hazards they cause.

The COVID-19 pandemic starkly underlines the significance of these dangers. The millions of users of PPIs must be warned that using these drugs compromise immunity and increase risk of pneumonia--pertinent information, to say the least, during a viral pandemic that attacks the respiratory system. 
Public health experts say between 60 and 70% of people who take these drugs don't need them.

The FDA already has issued a number of warnings regarding PPIs, including the increased risk of bone fracture, hypomagnesemia (low serum magnesium levels), and Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea. It's time to add pneumonia to this list, especially given the increased danger as we weather this pandemic.

Please add a warning to these medications alerting consumers of the additional risk of pneumonia with PPI use.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State ZIP]
[Your Email]