PROTON PUMP INHIBITORS: PROLONGED INTAKE AND ADVERSE EFFECTS.

Proton pump inhibitors (PPI) are commonly used medicines in management of the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract diseases. The perception of PPIs as relatively safe contributes to their frequent overprescription and misuse. One of the main reasons for PPIs overprescription is unjustified prophylaxis of bleeding in the course of non-steroid anti inflammatory drugs therapy. Prolonged PPI intake is associated with several side effects due to intestinal dysbiosis, including increased risk of GI and respiratory infections, as well as small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). Other reported adverse effects include malabsorption of vitamins and micro- and macroelements, hypergastrinemia, neurological, cardiovascular and renal complications and stomach cancer. The aim of this paper was to assess the scale of misuse and overuse of PPI and to look closely on the potential side effects of treatment with PPIs. However, during the review of the available literature, many of the analyzed studies yielded conflicting results, indicating the need for further in-depth research to draw reliable conclusions.