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Does omeprazole cause hardening of the arteries?

Author

Daniel Moore

Published Jan 16, 2026

New research suggests that popular heartburn drugs called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) such as Prevacid (lansoprazole), Prilosec (omeprazole) and Nexium (esomeprazole) may damage arteries leading to an increased risk of heart attack, kidney failure and dementia.

Does omeprazole cause cardiac problems?

There is another risk associated with taking reflux medications (PPIs, or Proton Pump Inhibitors such as prilosec, prevacid, nexium, omeprazole, dexilant….) and that is cardiovascular disease which includes heart attacks and strokes. This risk has been known for some time.

What are the side effects of using omeprazole long-term?

Long-term side effects

Taking omeprazole for more than a year may increase your chances of certain side effects, including: bone fractures. gut infections. vitamin B12 deficiency – symptoms include feeling very tired, a sore and red tongue, mouth ulcers and pins and needles.

What are the most severe adverse effect of omeprazole?

Serious stomach conditions may occur while taking this medicine alone or together with antibiotics. Check with your doctor immediately if you or your child has stomach cramps, bloated feeling, watery and severe diarrhea which may also be bloody sometimes, fever, nausea or vomiting, or unusual tiredness or weakness.

Does omeprazole affect the blood?

Chronic treatment with the proton pump inhibitor omeprazole causes endothelial dysfunction without significantly increasing arterial blood pressure.

18 related questions found

Why you should not take omeprazole?

Omeprazole may cause a serious type of allergic reaction when used in patients with conditions treated with antibiotics. Call your doctor right away if you or your child has itching, trouble breathing or swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth.

How long can you safely take omeprazole?

You should not take it for more than 14 days or repeat a 14-day course more often than every 4 months unless directed by a doctor. Do not crush, break, or chew the tablet.

Is it harmful to take omeprazole every day?

Doctor's response

Omeprazole controls acid production in the stomach only and does not affect the acid/alkaline balance of the body. The drug has been in use for some 10 years and appears to be safe for long term use.

Is there an alternative to omeprazole?

There are three types of medicines that treat symptoms like heartburn. These include proton pump inhibitors such as esomeprazole (Nexium), omeprazole (Prilosec), pantoprazole (Protonix) and lansoprazole (Prevacid).

What medications should not be taken with omeprazole?

Common medications that may interact with omeprazole include:

  • aminophylline or theophylline.
  • amphetamine.
  • ampicillin.
  • astemizole.
  • bisphosphonates, such as alendronate, etidronate, or risedronate.
  • capecitabine.
  • cefuroxime.
  • citalopram.

What is considered long-term use of omeprazole?

In a clinical context, use of PPI for more than 8 weeks could be a reasonable definition of long-term use in patients with reflux symptoms and more than 4 weeks in patients with dyspepsia or peptic ulcer.

Why can't you take omeprazole for more than 14 days?

Early data suggest increased risk of kidney disease and dementia. That risk appears to be small, if it even exists. Long-term PPI use has some risk of side effects and should be used only when there are benefits to PPIs that can't be obtained with other treatments, including other medications and lifestyle changes.

What does omeprazole do to your body?

Generic Name: omeprazole

It works by decreasing the amount of acid your stomach makes. It relieves symptoms such as heartburn, difficulty swallowing, and persistent cough. This medication helps heal acid damage to the stomach and esophagus, helps prevent ulcers, and may help prevent cancer of the esophagus.

Can omeprazole cause heart palpitations?

Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: symptoms of a low magnesium blood level (such as unusually fast/slow/irregular heartbeat, persistent muscle spasms, seizures).

Can PPI cause heart problems?

Proton pump inhibitor use is independently associated with an increased incidence of heart failure and death. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) may increase the risk for heart failure and death, but not acute ischemic events, in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), according to a study published in PLoS One.

What is the safest drug for acid reflux?

Proton pump inhibitors are accepted as the most effective initial and maintenance treatment for GERD. Oral pantoprazole is a safe, well tolerated and effective initial and maintenance treatment for patients with nonerosive GERD or erosive esophagitis.

Does omeprazole cause Alzheimer's?

The most common PPIs in use were omeprazole (Prilosec), pantoprazole (Protonix), and esomeprazole (Nexium). All participants were free of dementia at the study's beginning. Yet, after the eight-year follow-up, chronic PPI users had a 44% increased risk of dementia compared with those who did not take any medication.

Does omeprazole cause memory loss?

For instance, omeprazole led to deterioration of visual and episodic memory, motor and mental response speed, new learning, short-term and sustained attention, retention and manipulation of visuospatial information, and strategy development [12].

What are the side effects of omeprazole 20 mg?

Common side effects of omeprazole include:

  • headache.
  • abdominal pain.
  • diarrhea.
  • nausea.
  • vomiting.
  • gas (flatulence)
  • dizziness.
  • upper respiratory infection.

What is the difference between 20mg and 40 mg omeprazole?

Compared to omeprazole 20 mg, esomeprazole 40 mg provides greater acid control in patients with GERD and keeps stomach pH at higher than 4 for a longer period of time (higher pH = less acidity = less pain).

How long can you take omeprazole 40 mg?

To treat gastric ulcers: Adults—40 milligrams (mg) once a day for 4 to 8 weeks. Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Can omeprazole cause liver damage?

In large case series of drug induced liver injury, omeprazole and esomeprazole have accounted for few instances of symptomatic acute liver injury and rare instances of acute liver failure.

Can omeprazole cause neuropathy?

A new analysis of the FDA adverse events database (FAERS) has reported that use of proton pump inhibitors (e.g. omeprazole, rabeprazole, lansoprazole, pantoprazole) may be associated with a risk of neurological conditions, including hearing and visual impairment, memory loss, neuropathy and migraine (Sci Rep 2019;9: ...

Can omeprazole cause joint pain?

Omeprazole may cause new or worsening symptoms of lupus. Tell your doctor if you have joint pain and a skin rash on your cheeks or arms that worsens in sunlight. You may be more likely to have a broken bone while taking this medicine long term or more than once per day.

Can omeprazole cause kidney damage?

by Drugs.com

Omeprazole (Prilosec) is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) that is used to reduce the amount of acid in your stomach and it can be bad for your kidneys. It can cause acute kidney injury and may also worsen the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD).