Use of Proton Pump Inhibitors Once Or Twice Daily Significantly Increases Risk of Covid-19

Proton pump inhibitors are a group of drugs whose primary function is an intense and prolonged reduction of gastric acid production. Within this category of drugs, there is currently no evidence that one chemical is more effective than the other. The FDA has approved the use of these inhibitors to treat the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease is an uncomfortable condition that often requires urgent treatment; therefore, it is important to understand the different factors that may affect the effectiveness of proton pump inhibitors in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is an irritating and painful disorder of the digestive tract that primarily affects the throat, the lower esophagus, the upper portion of the stomach, and the duodenum. The majority of patients with GERD report abdominal pain and regurgitation, nausea, vomiting, and abnormal sense of smell. The age-standardized prevalence per 100 000 population for GERD was 6906·4 for Germany, according to the study, ‘The global, regional, and national burden of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease in 195 countries and territories, 1990–2017: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017’ published in March 2020.

Patients who take proton pump inhibitors or acid suppressants to reduce the symptoms of GERD should discuss their options with a gastroenterologist. An experienced gastroenterologist can evaluate the severity of symptoms, determine the best course of treatment, and recommend the use of a these inhibitors or acid suppressant. Many patients mistakenly believe that if they take an over-the-counter acid suppressant or proton pump inhibitor, they will be cured of GERD.

However, it should be noted that despite the fact that many medical experts support the use of such medications for GERD, not all patients experience the same degree of improvement. Some individuals even experience a worsening of their symptoms. Recently, in July 2020, an online survey (submitted in The American Journal of Gastroenterology) of over 53,000 people in the U.S suggested that using proton pump inhibitors once or twice daily significantly increases the risk of COVID-19.