Common proton pump inhibitor side effects include headache, diarrhea, constipation, nausea, or itching. More serious side effects include increased risk of heart attack, bone fracture, and low magnesium levels or hypomagnesemia.
Additionally, a recent study in the February 2016 JAMA publication indicated an increased risk of development of chronic kidney disease (CKD) by 20 to 50 percent in those who regularly took a PPI. It also found that the longer a PPI is taken, the greater the risk.
CKD is the loss of kidney function over time. As the disease progresses, waste will build up in a patient creating medical complications including high blood pressure, anemia, weak bones, and nerve damage. The disease can lead to complete kidney failure, and even death.
Symptoms of chronic kidney disease can include:
- Feeling more tired and having less energy,
- Trouble concentrating,
- Poor appetite,
- Trouble sleeping,
- Muscle cramping at night,
- Swollen feet and ankles,
- Puffiness around your eyes,
- Dry, itchy skin,
- The need to urinate more often, especially at night.
Other serious kidney issues may include acute kidney disease, similar to CKD but it has a sudden onset, or acute interstitial nephritis, which is a disorder in which the kidney tubules become swollen or inflamed. This ultimately causes problems with the way the kidneys function.
If you have used a PPI and you experience any of these symptoms, seek medical attention as soon as possible.