#190 Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs): Is Perpetual Prescribing Inevitable?
CLINICAL QUESTION
How successful are attempts to stop PPIs and how can clinicians improve chances of success?
BOTTOM LINE
Using a range of deprescribing strategies, about 25% of patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or dyspepsia can stop PPI use and another 30-50% can decrease their dose. Older patients and those who taper appear more successful in stopping PPIs.
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EVIDENCE
- Clustered randomized controlled trials:
- Patients (n=196) taking twice daily PPIs for >8 weeks were randomized to receive information pamphlets with academic detailing for their physician versus standard care.1 At six months:
- 30% stopped PPI or changed to Histamine Receptor Antagonists (H2RA) versus 19% in control group, Number Needed to Treat (NNT)=10.
- Additional 50% reduced PPI dose.
- 113 dyspeptic patients randomized to receive a letter encouraging stopping/decreasing PPIs or usual care.2 At 20 weeks:
- 13% off PPI, compared to 5% in control group (NNT=13).
- Additional 9% reduced their dose.
- Patients (n=196) taking twice daily PPIs for >8 weeks were randomized to receive information pamphlets with academic detailing for their physician versus standard care.1 At six months:
- Cohort studies of patients on PPIs for >8 weeks:
- 73 Veterans with GERD attempted taper then stopping PPI.3 At one year:
- 34% switched to H2RA, 15% off all acid reducers.
- Older patients appeared more successful in stopping.
- 166 dyspeptic/GERD patients offered H. Pylori testing and treatment, then educated about symptoms, lifestyle and PPIs.4 At one year:
- 34% stopped, additional 50% reduced their dose.
- 27 GERD patients reviewed PPI use at periodic health exam.5 At 10 weeks:
- Ten (37%) stopped PPI: Six completely, four changed to H2RA.
- Of 97 predominantly GERD patients with normal gastroscopy, 27% stopped PPIs at one year.6
- 73 Veterans with GERD attempted taper then stopping PPI.3 At one year:
- ~60% long-term PPI users may not need them.7
- PPI use associated with (but causation unclear):
- Clostridium difficile colitis:
- Community dwelling without antibiotics (1/10,000 risk)8 to in-hospital on antibiotics and PPIs (8-10% risk).9
- Fractures: Extra one in 2000 women over eight years.10
- Pneumonia.11
- Vitamin B12 and magnesium deficiencies.12,13
- Clostridium difficile colitis:
- Abruptly stopping PPIs may cause transient rebound GERD or dyspepsia symptoms.14,15
- Tapering may help.6
- Long-term PPIs should be considered for patients with recurrent symptoms, endoscopic esophagitis, complications from GERD (example: stricture), or those requiring gastroprotection.
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