A Potential Link Between Acid Suppressive Medications and Pneumonia

A new review in the Canadian Medical Association Journal has potentially linked taking acid suppressive medications with an increased risk of developing hospital-acquired pneumonia. According to the study, out of every 200 inpatients being treated with acid suppressive medications, such as proton pump inhibitors and histamine2 receptor antagonists, one will develop pneumonia.

Acid suppressive medications are the second leading medication worldwide. Between 40 and 70 percent of hospitalized patients receive these drugs, suggesting that there could be a link between the medications and hospital-acquired pneumonia.