THE CHALLENGES OF PPIS IN GENERAL PRACTICE: ADDRESSING MISUSE AND RESEARCH GAPS

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are widely prescribed for acid-related disorders due to their potent acid-suppressing effects. However, increasing evidence highlights concerns regarding their long-term and often inappropriate use. This letter emphasizes the risks associated with sustained PPI therapy, including gastrointestinal infections, nutrient malabsorption, bone demineralization, and a potential link to gastric cancer. It also addresses issues such as over-the-counter availability, lack of public awareness, inconsistent drug interaction data, and habitual prescribing without clinical reevaluation. To mitigate these risks, the need for unified prescribing guidelines, standardized interaction databases, and evidence-based deprescribing protocols is underscored. Future research should focus on assessing self-medication trends, the effectiveness of targeted interventions, and the underlying causes of irrational PPI use to ensure safer pharmacological practices.