A popular form of heartburn drugs can greatly increase a person’s risk of developing COVID-19, according to a new study to extend the already long list of risk factors for the virus. In the study published Tuesday in the form of pre-print in the American Journal of Gastroenterology, scientists led by Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Dr. Brennan Spiegel conducted an online survey of more than 86,000 people. Among them, more than 53,000 reported abdominal pain or discomfort, acid reflux, heartburn or regurgitation, and answered questions about the drugs you take to relieve these symptoms. Of those who tested positive for more than 3,300 COVID-19 When the researchers analyzed the data, they found that respondents who indicated that proton pump inhibitor (PPI), drugs used for their heartburn is everywhere on almost four times positively two trials, the risk of COVID-19, compared to people with this had nothing to do with drugs. PPI drugs that are available by prescription and over the counter available from the pumps operate in cells outside the release of acid in the stomach. They can be taken once or twice a day; People PPI drugs taken twice a day, a higher risk of infection than those who once a day. Spiegel, who is also editor in chief of the American Journal of Gastroenterology, says the findings are not necessarily surprising. Previous studies have found that drugs PPI people with a higher risk of some infections, including C. difficile (often in hospitals). This is because the drugs reduce gastric acid and is one way the body of potentially harmful bacteria and kill viruses. However mirror was surprised “what seemed to be the effect.” “We found a biological gradient in which the stronger the medicine is, the higher the dose, the greater the effect of COVID-19,” he says. The intestine, which includes the stomach and intestines can, one of the largest organs in the body’s immune system are considered. When normal bowel built environment as it can be, if the heartburn medication which can transformed into a fertile ground for viruses such as SARS-CoV-2, which is responsible for COVID-19 “Viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 are capable of hijacking fast gastrointestinal tract; we know that, “says Spiegel. “And ‘able to penetrate, replicate and multiply efficiently. There is also a theory that maybe using the colon as a kind of home base, where they demonstrated and then spreads all over the body rooted.” While people taking proton pump inhibitors an increased risk of COVID-19 infection than those who do not, is the absolute risk remains low. This means that people who take proton pump inhibitors should not immediately stop the virus without first consulting their physician, while fearing contract. There are ways of PPI users may be able to reduce your risk, too. Studies have shown, for example, once a day that the medication should be taken as effective as twice daily. Since the mirror study suggests that higher doses carry an increased risk, people should discuss with their doctors if their daily dose may reduce the sense. Meanwhile, other acid-control medications do not seem to have the same increased risk of COVID-19 infection. In the mirror of the study, people who H2, for example, do not show an increase in the risk of infection (H2, Pepcid and Zantac, work is blocking of receptors on stomach tissue cells that cause the production of acid). However, the Food and Drug Administration asked in April that manufacturers remove recipe and includes over the counter Ranitidine H2 from the market after a survey showed that they contain a contamination with cancer. The requirement applies Zantac, Pepcid but not containing other chemical acid-blocking called famotidine. For people who need to take the EPI heartburn control, says Spiegel their doctors should remember their increased risk of infections of any kind, including COVID-19 and the results of his team also reinforce the advice of public health the right precautions to protect against the virus. “If you’re worried about getting COVID-19, the best thing to do is to wash your hands, wear a mask, social distance and makes all the basic blocking and tackling public health measures,” says Spiegel. “They are much more important to immediately stop EPI.” Picture copyright by Misha Friedman Getty Images
Popular heartburn drugs linked to an increased risk COVID-19
