Do acid reflux medications or Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) have any effect on COVID-19? This is one of the questions that we often get from people regarding the use of gastroesophageal reflux tablets. Well, recent studies revealed that PPIs might increase the risks of severe diseases. How exactly is this possible?
What are PPIs, and what relationships do they have with COVID-19? Read on to better understand everything you should know about the above-mentioned question.
What exactly are PPIs?
Proton pump inhibitors, or PPIs, are a class of medications that are effective in reducing the products of stomach acid, which often causes GERD when in contact with the oesophagus. PPI tablets are usually available for purchase over the counter (OTC). Some are even available in prescription form. As amazing and effective as these acid reflux tablets are, you need to understand that they can cause adverse & life-threatening side effects. A good & effective PPI you can buy today at Ashcroft Pharmacy is Omeprazole.
Omeprazole tablets or Omeprazole capsules are proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) that can help you treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This reflux medication is also effective in treating peptic ulcer disease and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. That’s not all; this medication is also recommended for stopping upper gastrointestinal bleeding in high-risk individuals.
COVID-19
Let’s take a little pause on Omeprazole tablets and quickly talk about COVID-19 before moving to their relationships.
COVID-19, also called Coronavirus Disease 2019, is an illness that results from a novel coronavirus known as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-2). This disease was initially reported in December 2019 in Wuhan City, China, before becoming a global pandemic in March 2020.
Studies revealed that both animals and humans could contract coronaviruses, which belong to the single-stranded positive-sense RNA virus family. Common symptoms that many COVID-19 sufferers experience include fever, coughing, and exhaustion.
PPI (Omeprazole) and COVID-19: how do they relate?
As you already know, PPIs are effective gastroesophageal reflux tablets. Apart from treating this non-erosive reflux disease, PPIs are also recommended for the treatment of peptic ulcer disease.
While PPIs are effective, they can also cause adverse & life-threatening side effects. For instance, studies reveal that these reflux medications, such as Omeprazole 20 mg, can harm certain bodily organ systems, such as the kidney. Yes, these medications can increase a patient’s risk of experiencing chronic kidney issues. As a matter of fact, due to PPI-induced hypochloremia, these kidney problems can always advance to end-stage renal disease and pneumonia.
Today, various studies have been conducted to confirm the relationship between using PPI acid reflux tablets and COVID-19. While certain studies reveal that there is a link, some studies couldn’t find any clear connection.
- For instance, studies by Xiang Y revealed that PPIs, such as the cheap medication Omeprazole, is effective in reducing a patient’s vulnerability to COVID-19.
- However, Ramchandran revealed in a study that the use of PPIs led to an increased rate of mobility.
- Furthermore, Almario’s study revealed that PPI administration can up a patient’s risk of contracting COVID-19.
- Even a US-conducted large national health survey revealed that using PPIs could up a patient’s likelihood of testing positive for COVID-19. According to the survey, significant GI symptoms were prevalent. Results also showed that the virus sheds into saliva before being swallowed into the stomach. A dose-response connection was discovered. It revealed that patients taking high doses of PPIs (twice daily) are more likely to test positive for COVID-19 than patients using lower doses of PPIs daily.
- One of the few researchers that couldn’t find a link between PPI usage and COVID-19 is Fan X.
Wrapping up
For now, there is no general agreement yet as to whether the use of Omeprazole and other PPIs has any effect on COVID-19. While some researchers found a link, other researchers couldn’t find a connection between them. As such, COVId-19 sufferers should speak to their healthcare providers before going ahead to buying Omeprazole for use.
