Proton Pump Inhibitors: What They Do and How They Work

Understanding Proton Pump Inhibitors

PPIs decrease acid levels in the stomach. Many PPI products are available. Some are sold over the counter, and others require a prescription from a healthcare provider. PPIs are some of the most commonly prescribed medications around the world. In 2019, Prilosec (omeprazole) was the eighth most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 52 million prescriptions.

How They Work

PPIs bind to a certain type of protein called an enzyme that is located within the parietal cells, which line your stomach. This enzyme is the hydrogen-potassium ATPase pump (H+/K+ ATPase), or, more simply, the proton pump.

It normally functions to release H+ ions, forming hydrochloric acid that gets released into your stomach, increasing acidity level and maintaining a low pH environment. When this pump is blocked, acid production is decreased. This less harsh environment promotes ulcer healing, calms heartburn andacid reflux symptoms, and reduces damage to theesophagus.

Uses

Common uses of proton pump inhibitors include:

Examples of Proton Pump Inhibitors

Several drugs are available within this class. Examples of PPIs that are only available with a prescription include:

Some PPIs can be purchased over-the-counter without a prescription, including:

Safety Precautions

Interactions

Some important interactions exist between PPIs and other medications, including:

Who Should Be Cautious When Taking Proton Pump Inhibitors?

PPIs are not appropriate for everyone, and some groups of people, including the following, who should be cautious when taking them, especially for longer than four to eight weeks:

Summary

PPIs are medications that lower stomach acid production. They are used for conditions that result from a highly acidic environment in the stomach, such as GERD and peptic ulcers.

Be sure to discuss the use of PPIs with your healthcare provider, as they should be used with caution in some groups.

5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Shanika LGT, Reynolds A, et al.Proton pump inhibitor use: systematic review of global trends and practices. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 2023 Sep;79(9):1159-1172.Gommers LMM, Hoenderop JGJ, et al.Mechanisms of proton pump inhibitor-induced hypomagnesemia. Acta Physiol (Oxf). 2022 Aug;235(4):e13846.FDA.Protonix (Pantoprazole) Prescribing Information.Lespessailles E, Toumi H.Proton Pump Inhibitors and Bone Health: An Update Narrative Review. Int J Mol Sci. 2022 Sep 14;23(18):10733.Villafuerte-Gálvez JA.Proton Pump Inhibitors and Incident Clostridioides difficile Infection: Beyond Controversy, Pragmatic Approaches Are Needed. Clin Infect Dis. 2021 Jun 15;72(12):e1090-e1092.

5 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Shanika LGT, Reynolds A, et al.Proton pump inhibitor use: systematic review of global trends and practices. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 2023 Sep;79(9):1159-1172.Gommers LMM, Hoenderop JGJ, et al.Mechanisms of proton pump inhibitor-induced hypomagnesemia. Acta Physiol (Oxf). 2022 Aug;235(4):e13846.FDA.Protonix (Pantoprazole) Prescribing Information.Lespessailles E, Toumi H.Proton Pump Inhibitors and Bone Health: An Update Narrative Review. Int J Mol Sci. 2022 Sep 14;23(18):10733.Villafuerte-Gálvez JA.Proton Pump Inhibitors and Incident Clostridioides difficile Infection: Beyond Controversy, Pragmatic Approaches Are Needed. Clin Infect Dis. 2021 Jun 15;72(12):e1090-e1092.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Shanika LGT, Reynolds A, et al.Proton pump inhibitor use: systematic review of global trends and practices. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 2023 Sep;79(9):1159-1172.Gommers LMM, Hoenderop JGJ, et al.Mechanisms of proton pump inhibitor-induced hypomagnesemia. Acta Physiol (Oxf). 2022 Aug;235(4):e13846.FDA.Protonix (Pantoprazole) Prescribing Information.Lespessailles E, Toumi H.Proton Pump Inhibitors and Bone Health: An Update Narrative Review. Int J Mol Sci. 2022 Sep 14;23(18):10733.Villafuerte-Gálvez JA.Proton Pump Inhibitors and Incident Clostridioides difficile Infection: Beyond Controversy, Pragmatic Approaches Are Needed. Clin Infect Dis. 2021 Jun 15;72(12):e1090-e1092.

Shanika LGT, Reynolds A, et al.Proton pump inhibitor use: systematic review of global trends and practices. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 2023 Sep;79(9):1159-1172.

Gommers LMM, Hoenderop JGJ, et al.Mechanisms of proton pump inhibitor-induced hypomagnesemia. Acta Physiol (Oxf). 2022 Aug;235(4):e13846.

FDA.Protonix (Pantoprazole) Prescribing Information.

Lespessailles E, Toumi H.Proton Pump Inhibitors and Bone Health: An Update Narrative Review. Int J Mol Sci. 2022 Sep 14;23(18):10733.

Villafuerte-Gálvez JA.Proton Pump Inhibitors and Incident Clostridioides difficile Infection: Beyond Controversy, Pragmatic Approaches Are Needed. Clin Infect Dis. 2021 Jun 15;72(12):e1090-e1092.

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