How safe are heartburn medications and who should use them?

Reports of side effects and even early death have led some to question heartburn medications

Many people take heartburn medications for longer than they should. from www.shutterstock.com.au Vincent Ho, Western Sydney University

Many people suffer regularly from heartburn - a burning feeling in the chest caused by stomach acid travelling up the food pipe (oesophagus) after eating. This causes inflammation and irritation of the lower oesophagus, and also ulcers. The most commonly prescribed medications to treat what is known as gastro-oesphageal reflux disease, are “proton pump inhibitors”.

Proton pump inhibitors (known in Australia by names such as Nexium, Pariet, Losec, Somac and Zoton) work by preventing key pumps in