Stomach acid must be Public Enemy #1 for gastroenterologists and primary care physicians. Why else would more than 10 million Americans swallow proton pump inhibitor (PPI) medicines each day? These medicines are potent stomach acid blockers. Common examples of these medicines include Prilosec (omeprazole), Nexium (esomeprazole) and Protonix (pantoprazole). PPI medicines have generated tens of billions of dollars for pharmaceutical companies. And several of these medicines are available over-the-counter (OTC), which permits the public to self-prescribe for a variety of ailments. Are ordinary folks selecting these medicines appropriately when they purchase OTC? I have my doubts particularly since medical professionals often prescribe these agents very liberally going beyond the boundaries of medical evidence. I have also been culpable of the transgression of PPI mission creep. Indeed, studies have shown that physicians prescribe these acid blockers for the wrong reason and al
MD Whistleblower presents vignettes and commentaries on the medical profession. We peek 'behind the medical curtain' and deliver candor and controversy in every post.