Negative Findings for Association of Extended PPI Use and Hypomagnesemia

A large retrospective study included analysis of potential confounders for this condition.

A finding of a possible association between use of proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) and low magnesium (Mg2+) triggered a 2011 warning from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration but has been challenged in subsequent reports, particularly because of a lack of information on potential confounding factors such as use of diuretics, which may independently cause hypomagnesemia (NEJM JW Gastroenterol Jan 2015 and PLoS Med 2014; 11:e1001736).

In the current retrospective analysis, researchers assessed the risk for hypomagnesemia in 10,167 adult members of a health maintenance organization who had received continuous PPIs for ≥6 months, had ≥1 serum Mg2+ measurement, and had no recognizable cause of altered magnesium homeostasis. Of that group, 414 pati…

Reviewing Author

David A. Johnson, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory boardMedscape/WebMD; Pfizer; CRH Medical Corporation; Aries

EquityCRH Medical Corporation

Editorial boardsMedscape Gastroenterology

Leadership positions in professional societiesAmerican College of Gastroenterology Research Institute Board of Directors