CNN: Popular medications linked to higher risk of kidney failure

I am copying an article from the CNN Website of yesterday under the Headline:
“Popular medications linked to higher risk of kidney failure”
April 14 2016
(CNN)Taking one of the most-prescribed medications in the world — proton pump inhibitors — might dramatically increase a person’s risk for kidney failure and kidney disease, new research suggests. The study was released Thursday in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.

Doctors prescribe proton pump inhibitors, also known as PPIs, to help people who suffer from regular heart burn, ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease or acid reflux. They are sold under the names Prevacid, Prilosec, Nexium, Protonix, Aciphex and others. About 15 million Americans have prescriptions for them, although people can get them without a prescription — so the number who use them is likely much higher.
The medications are popular because they relieve symptoms pretty quickly. It was also thought that they had a low toxicity.
Looking at data from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the study’s authors found 173,321 people who used PPIs and 20,270 took a PPI alternative known as histamine H2 receptor blockers. The authors, who work at Washington University in St. Louis and at the Clinical Epidemiology Center at the VA St. Louis Health Care System, analyzed data from these patients five years later.
They found that a large percentage of those patients who were taking PPIs were now having more kidney problems than those patients who took the alternative histamine H2 receptor blockers.
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Patients who took PPIs had a 96% increased risk of developing kidney failure and a 28% increased risk of chronic kidney disease compared to the patients who took the histamine H2 receptor blockers.
Earlier studies have shown that taking PPIs have been linked to acute interstitial nephritis, also a problem that may be likely to end in kidney failure. A study that ran online in JAMA in January also found a link between PPIs and a higher risk of chronic kidney disease, also known as CKD.
Like this study, it also was observational and doesn’t provide evidence of causality, but as the earlier study said, “even a casual relationship between PPI use and CKD could have a considerable public health effect given the widespread extent of use.”
Other side effects from taking PPIs include an increased risk of pneumonia, double the risk of infection from C. difficile and a small risk of osteoporosis, earlier studies have shown.
The authors of this research suggest that PPIs are overprescribed. Previous research, including a 2008 study and others have shown the same. The authors of the new study conclude if a person has a prescription for a PPI, it should be used sparingly and only taken for a short period of time.

20 Comments

  1. Susanna prakash says:

    Good afternoon doctor,
    How are you doctor. After a long time I am back to you for help. Doctor you have helped my mother for her rhematic pain. She is taking arg met 6c. & arnica 30c. Now she is feeling better. Now she is facing breathing problem. So I took her to the doctor. Doctor gave some medicines to be taken. Driphylline ret, lasic, ecospirin, with great difficulty the medicines I have written the names. If you can give your email I’d I can scan and send . ECG is also taken. I want you doctor to treat my mother. She only depends on homeopathy medicines. So I kindly request you to help me in this suitivation. I will be greatful to you docto.

    • Joe says:

      You must understand that I cannot make a diagnosis on my Website and it is essential that the patient reports the diagnosis of your doctor to enable me to prescribe a remedy based on the diagnosis. Did your doctor take an ECG and was there any reference to her heart?
      You stated that Driphylline ret, lasic, ecospirin, were prescribed. Lasix is usually prescribed if the patient suffers from swelling in the ankles and this can be due to a variety of causes which I must know to prescribe. Ecospirin is prescribed to thin the blood and this can indicate some Cardiac problem which you must inform me about to help her.

      I note that she is already taking Argentum Met for her Arthritis and Arnica 30c. You can increase the dosage of Arnica 30c to THRICE daily to help her heart which may be having a problem and which you will report to me.

      How is your mother’s Arthritis?

  2. subhadeep goswami says:

    my family is in a tough situation give to my father’s( age 64) illness.
    He has been suffering from diabetes for last 18 years and currently he is taking insulin and others medicines for Sugars and hypertension.
    since 2015 , ascertain change in his behaviour has been observed. That is excessive saliva taking long time to do a simple work , lack of interest, don’t want to involve in environment etc.
    We consulted neuro physician & and many tests were done and the disease was diagnosed as a mixed dementia( dementia + parkinsonism).
    Since then medication are going but till today no remarkable improvement.

    The present condition is :-

    1.Taking much time to do a simple work .not getting interested in surrounding.

    2.sometimes these orientation while speaking

    3.Childlike behavior and movement disorders

    4. he can recollect old memories and still today he can identify his family members.

    5.Sometimes he gets emotional in simple talking.

    currently he is taking 🙁 taking for about 1 year)

    1. DONEP 5mg Tab. twice daily
    2.Himalaya MENTAT syrup 10ml twice daily
    3. VALPARIN 200 syrup 5ml ,twice daily
    previously he used to take ” SYNDOPA 110 Tab.”,(but not now)

    but not remarkable improvement till date, he suffers several times due to ELECTROLYTE DISBALANCE( lack of Na+ ) & hospitalized for many times.

    • Joe says:

      Yours is a very complicated case which I cannot spare the time to treat.
      Dr Arshad Ali Saeed will take over your case as he has more clinical experience than me to do so. He practices in London and he will contact you on my Website ASAP.

      ATTENTION DR ARSHAD ALI SAEED

    • Arshad Ali Saeed says:

      Subhadeep,
      Your’s dad case has been referred to me by Mr Joe Delivera for prescription and follow up.

  3. vidya Braganza says:

    Hi! Dr. Joe,

    My daughte aged 23 had visited a gynaecologist since she had severe pain during her periods. I have attached her medical papers via email.

    She has been advised laprascopy. Dr. has given her 10 days time to report if she would go with laprascopy.

    My fear is that she is only 23 yrs of age and is very keen in going for her masters overseas. She still has a few years before she gets married. er Hence please advise if she needs to go for laprascopy or wait for alternative treatment.

    • Joe says:

      There is absolutely no reason for any surgery including Laparascopy as my therapy aka “Joepathy” will fix her problem.
      You may like to know that Laparoscopy will only help for a very short time as with her every period, she will start the next Chocolate Cyst.

      You stated:
      “I have attached her medical papers via email.”

      I have not received them. Please resend.

      Also describe her problem in detail here on my Website.

      Details required:
      Pain, Bleeding pattern, how long has she suffered?, what drugs were prescribed?
      Was a US Scan done?
      Did her gyne diagnose Endometriosis with Chocolate Cysts (CC)? Diameter of CC?

  4. vidya Braganza says:

    Hi Joe,

    I am her daughter. On 19th April 2016 i happened to go for a casual check up since my periods are heavy and painful(specifically: only during the first three days, the remaining two days are very mild and tolerable). I have had these pains since i was a teenager say 15-16 years of age, i used to a do checkup every 2-3 years, but nothing was discovered. The last i did a checkup in 2012, where everything was normal, there were no cysts on both the ovaries.

    Recently I did a CBC, TSH, Blood Sugar, Lipid Profile, Rubella, urine routine and USG on the 11th of April 2016, Please find the details of the report attached in the mail.

    The USG the report said :

    Left ovary is bulky and measures 7.6*3.6*3.1cm(vol 46 cc). There is evidence of well defined multisepated cystic lesion with low level internal echoes measuring 7.5*5.2*4.1 cm in the left ovary. Three locules(components) measuring 46*@5mm, 28*27mm and 22*13 mm are noted within the lesion. This lesion does not show any septa, solid component or clarification. There is no evidence of any abnormal vascularity seen within them on doppler examination. Thin rim of ovarian stroma is seen around the lesion. Left ovary is seen close to the left lateral uterine wall. Image morphology is suggestive of endometriomas.

    Right Ovary : is bulky and measures 4.1*22.**2.1 cm (vol 13.5cc). Multiple(>12 in number), small(4-9mm)follicles are seen arranged peripherally in right ovary with preponderant central ovarian stroma. Imaging features suggestive of polycystic pattern of right ovary. A 17mm sized dominant follicle is seen in right ovary.

    Final Impression:
    Normal sized anteverted uterus with normal echotexture. No facial lesion seen.

    Polycyctic pattern of right ovary. Harmonal correlation is suggested.

    Complex multi sepated left ovarian cystic lesion. Imaging morphology suggestive of endometriomas, possibility of hemorrhagic cyst is unlikely. Clinical correlation and follow up is recommended.

    Rest of the abdominal and pelvic organs are imaged within normal limits.

    The doctor suggested Laproscopy as she said it would rupture later and cause acute pain leading to a state of emergency.

    I want to know the actual diagnosis and treatment of the left ovary and whether this is urgent and whether it can be treated with medication or a laproscopy is required.

    Looking forward to your reply.

    • Joe says:

      I noticed that you have addressed me by my given name, Joe.
      I do not permit being addressed by name on my website, as I only permit my peers to do so.

      You must understand that you are consulting a physician and it is not normal to address one by name on a first consultation.

      Here in Sri Lanka where I live, we have a modicum of respect for age. I am 86.
      I note that you are just 23 years in age and this makes me old enough to be your Grandfather.

      It is of interest to note that your mother addressed me in a different manner and I suggest that you consult her on changing your mode of address if you still want me to help you.

    • Joe says:

      I shall copy my default therapy for Endometriosis and Chocolate Cysts which I have pioneered and have prescribed to many ladies in the past 10 years and you are requested to visit their cases which are recorded on my Website.

      Your remedies are:

      Bellis Perennis 30c
      Apis Mel 6c
      Arnica M 30c

      All remedies to be taken in the Wet dose twice daily leaving about an hour between each.

      Bellis Perennis reduces the Chocolate Cysts (CC) that are usually present with Endometriosis and also prevents the rapid growth of the Endometrial Tissue internally.
      Apis 6c will help the body to resorb the Chocolate coloured fluid which fills them. A Scan taken 3 months into treatment shows that there is no trace of any colour (anechoic) in the fluid. The CC usually reduces at about 1cm per month.
      Arnica will reduce the pain and bleeding that many patients suffer from, some on a continuous daily basis.

      Please note that this therapy is not an instant fix to your problem and you may have to take it for some time into the future.

      Report your response in a week and after your next period.

      You will not take any drugs when you start my therapy.

      Please follow the instructions below to make the Wet dose of any Homeopathic remedy.

      Order the remedy in the Liquid pack in Alcohol, also referred to as Liquid Dilution in a bottle preferably with a dropper arrangement.
      Get a 500ml bottle of Spring Water from the nearest supermarket.
      Pour out about 3cm of water from the bottle to leave some airspace.
      Insert 3 drops of the remedy into the bottle and shake the bottle hard at least 6 times before you sip a capfull of the bottle or a large teaspoonful which is the dose.
      Shaking the bottle hard is homeopathic succussion and this enhances the effect of the remedy on the user.

      Do not use Coffee, Cola beverages, preserved foods like sausages, ham and bacon as they contain Saltpeter.

  5. vidya Braganza says:

    Hi! Dr. Joe,

    I regret the error. Pls pardon me for the same. In future, I will ensure to address you rightly. Once again sorry.

    With Best Regards,
    Gail

  6. Nilesh says:

    Hi my wife is pregnant 38 weeks …can u suggest medicine for induction of labour…

    • Joe says:

      Please consult your gynecologist who will be in a better position than me to advice your wife on inducing labour which should be done using drugs which are more effective than Homeopathic remedies.

      I hope that you are aware that your baby will be affected by inducing labour at 38 weeks and this is not done unless there is some urgent reason for doing so.

  7. sujith says:

    Dear Joe sir , can l take carbo veg with Nat phos for ulcer.pls help me.

    • Joe says:

      I do not have any record of having treated you in the past and I cannot prevent you from using the Nat Phos therapy with any other remedy.

  8. Queen Edward says:

    Hello Dr Joe, I hope you’re well. My father has been diagnosed with diabetes for 15 years now and also ulcer. He has been on different medications like glucophage and omprazole for his ulcer. And also other medications from physicians but the pain has refused to go away. He has also tried changing his diet however it seem to be getting worse as he keeps experiencing pains in his upper right abdomen close to the diaphragm and sometimes moves to his lower back . Please help me. Thank you

    • Joe says:

      Your dad’s Diabetes is chronic after 15 years of using drugs and my “Joepathy” for Diabetes cannot cure him in the manner that it could have done if you had contacted me say, 10 years ago. You have also not indicated his age. I shall however share my default prescription for Diabetes below to save time, and would request you to send me his Blood Sugar level taken immediately before he uses my default therapy and after as per my prescription.

      He will also take a reading in 6 hours after his second dose when his level should be lower by at least 10% to the first reading. He will not take the drugs he used for 24 hours and will submit 4 readings to me for 24 hours.

      I shall copy below my default therapy aka “Joepathy” which many Diabetics are using today to control their BS levels.

      The remedy I have prescribed is Arnica 6c in the Wet dose which is taken thrice daily for a week reduced to twice daily thereafter.

      Mag Phos 6x dose 2 tablets taken thrice daily have also helped to reduce BS levels and you can add this to your daily dosage.

      Please note that you will most likely notice a dip in your BS level within 24 hours of starting my therapy and you will then have to reduce your dosage of either Metformin or of Insulin as it must be maintained around 110.

      Type I patients have confirmed that they discovered their BS levels were reduced by about 20% within a day of their starting on this therapy.

      Type II patients will have to monitor their BS levels on a daily basis to ensure that their BS is stabilized at around 110 and they will reduce the dosage of the drugs that they are using daily to maintain this level. The Arnica 6c and the Mag Phos 6x are taken as prescribed.

      The Wet dose of any Homeopathic remedy is made as follows:

      Order the remedy in the Liquid pack in Alcohol, also referred to as Liquid Dilution in a bottle preferably with a dropper arrangement.
      Get a 500ml bottle of Spring Water from the nearest supermarket.
      Pour out about 3cm of water from the bottle to leave some airspace.
      Insert 5 drops of the remedy into the bottle and shake the bottle hard at least 6 times before you sip a capfull of the bottle or a large teaspoonful which is the dose.
      Shaking the bottle hard is homeopathic succussion and this enhances the effect of the remedy on the user.

      Exercise is essential to help the Diabetic and unfortunately many are not in the habit of a daily routine of exercise which in many cases is the reason for the increase in Blood Sugar levels. You are advised to start with a brisk walk and you must ensure that you sweat it out to derive any benefit from the exercise.

      Cinnamon powder is also useful to reduce BS levels and a quarter teaspoonful can be taken brewed as a tea twice daily. Okra or Bandakka which grows in the tropics also helps to reduce BS levels. Okra is used by cutting up a tender pod and inserting it into a glass of water which is left overnight and the water is drunk on an empty stomach the morning after.
      Turmeric has also been discovered to help reduce BS levels and can be used in a similar manner to the Cinnamon when you will use just a pinch of Cinnamonium Zeylanica.

      Do not use Coffee, Cola beverages, preserved foods like sausages, ham and bacon as they contain Saltpeter.

      You speak of some pain in his abdomen and you will have to report what it is due to as I cannot prescribe a Remedy. It can be due to GERD if he experiences this discomfort after a meal.
      You are advised to consult a doctor to identify the cause.

      • Queen Edward says:

        Hello Dr Joe, thank you for your response . My father is 52 years old male . With type 2 diabetes. The diabetes is over 10 years , it’s the ulcer that is over 15 years. He has been to physicians in the hospital and they keep prescribing ulcer medications but the pains in his stomach has refused to go away and that same pains sometimes move to his lower back . Thank you

        • Joe says:

          There is a faint possibility that my Joepathy copied below can help his Diabetes, the level of which you have NOT reported.

          I shall copy below my default therapy aka “Joepathy” which many Diabetics are using today to control their BS levels.

          The remedy I have prescribed is Arnica 6c in the Wet dose which is taken thrice daily for a week reduced to twice daily thereafter..

          Mag Phos 6x dose 2 tablets taken thrice daily have also helped to reduce BS levels and you can add this to your daily dosage.

          Please note that you will most likely notice a dip in your BS level within 24 hours of starting my therapy and you will then have to reduce your dosage of either Metformin or of Insulin as it must be maintained around 110.

          Type I patients have confirmed that they discovered their BS levels were reduced by about 20% within a day of their starting on this therapy.

          Type II patients will have to monitor their BS levels on a daily basis to ensure that their BS is stabilized at around 110 and they will reduce the dosage of the drugs that they are using daily to maintain this level. The Arnica 6c and the Mag Phos 6x are taken as prescribed.

          The Wet dose of any Homeopathic remedy is made as follows:

          Order the remedy in the Liquid pack in Alcohol, also referred to as Liquid Dilution in a bottle preferably with a dropper arrangement.
          Get a 500ml bottle of Spring Water from the nearest supermarket.
          Pour out about 3cm of water from the bottle to leave some airspace.
          Insert 5 drops of the remedy into the bottle and shake the bottle hard at least 6 times before you sip a capfull of the bottle or a large teaspoonful which is the dose.
          Shaking the bottle hard is homeopathic succussion and this enhances the effect of the remedy on the user.

          Exercise is essential to help the Diabetic and unfortunately many are not in the habit of a daily routine of exercise which in many cases is the reason for the increase in Blood Sugar levels. You are advised to start with a brisk walk and you must ensure that you sweat it out to derive any benefit from the exercise.

          Cinnamon powder is also useful to reduce BS levels and a quarter teaspoonful can be taken brewed as a tea twice daily. Okra or Bandakka which grows in the tropics also helps to reduce BS levels. Okra is used by cutting up a tender pod and inserting it into a glass of water which is left overnight and the water is drunk on an empty stomach the morning after.
          Turmeric has also been discovered to help reduce BS levels and can be used in a similar manner to the Cinnamon when you will use just a pinch of Cinnamonium Zeylanica.

          Do not use Coffee, Cola beverages, preserved foods like sausages, ham and bacon as they contain Saltpeter.

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