Study Links Acid-Reducing Drugs to Increased Risk of Severe Headaches

People who take acid-reducing drugs to help their stomach might be increasing their risk of severe headaches. According to a new study published in the journal Neurology Clinical Practice, people who take acid-reducing drugs might have a higher risk of migraine and other severe headaches than those who avoid taking them. Researchers say headaches can be associated with acid-reducing proton pump inhibitors like esomeprazole, omeprazole, and histamine H2-receptor antagonists, as well as H2 blockers such as cimetidine and famotidine and antacid supplements. 

Acid reflux is caused when stomach acid flows into the esophagus, usually after a meal or when lying down. It frequently causes heartburn and ulcers. People with more frequent episodes of acid reflux can develop gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which can lead to cancer of the esophagus. Researchers say that acid-reducing drugs are often overprescribed, and new researchers show that there are risks tied to long-term use of proton pump inhibitors, such as an increased risk of dementia.  

Researchers examined data from 11,818 people who were analyzed based on whether they took acid-reducing drugs and whether they had migraine or severe headaches in 90 days. The authors said 25% of subjects who used proton pump inhibitors, which is one of the most commonly prescribed antacids, experienced migraine or severe headache, compared to 19% of subjects not taking the drugs. They also reported that 25% of subjects taking H2 blockers had severe headaches compared to 20% of those not taking the drugs. It was concluded that people taking proton pump inhibitors were 70% more likely to develop migraine than those who didn’t take proton pump inhibitors after adjusting for other factors that could affect the risk of migraine, such as gender, age, and whether a person used alcohol and caffeine. Subjects taking H2 blockers were 40% more likely to have migraine headaches, and those taking antacid supplements were 30% more likely.  

Researchers say it might be a problem with the person’s central nervous system or glutamate level, which is one of the pain pathway facilitators, and might link acid reflux disease and headaches, which both can be part of an inflammatory process. 

Journal Reference – Slavin, M., Frankenfeld, C. L., Guirguis, A. B., & Seng, E. K. (2024). Neurology Clinical Practice, 14(3). doi:10.1212/cpj.0000000000200302