<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> I, too, have been following the news reports about the recent epidemiological studies on acid-reducers, and I share the concerns expressed below, especially since I take them regularly. However, I would like to point out that untreated acid reflux disease significantly increases one's chances of getting esophageal cancer, and untreated ulcers may also cause serious health problems. I take Prilosec (and would take Aciphex, which works even better for me, if my insurance covered it, which it doesn't since Prilosec went otc) because the prednisone I have to take to stay alive gives me ulcers otherwise. I have tried several alternatives, and nothing else works for my particular condition. Granted, the stomach infection detailed in the referenced study sounds scary (although even the abstract states that "It was completely unexpected and probably unpreventable"), and pneumonia is no piece of cake, but given my choice of pneumonia or esophageal cancer, I'd take pneumonia (and this is coming from someone with asthma!). Perhaps a caveat ought to be added that the risks of acid-reducers ought to be taken seriously, but that there are *some* conditions for which the benefits of taking the drug outweigh the risks. I agree that it's irresponsible for the drugs to be marketed otc when they carry serious risks. In the last year or two, several drugs approved by the FDA and in circulation have been removed from the market due to deaths or other serious risks. However, It's a hard issue, and I don't think it's black-and-white. It's difficult to balance the need to have those drugs such as breakthrough cancer treatments on the market quickly with the need for drug safety. I fear that one of the results of the new laws that allow the FDA to market drugs more quickly and with less study has been such incidents. Just my two cents. Thanks for listening. Suzanne ---------- From: Roy Jamron <[log in to unmask]> To: [log in to unmask] Subject: The Risks of Acid-Supressors Date: Tue, 26 Oct 2004 23:38:39 -0500 ------------ Two articles highlighting the risks associated with taking acid-suppressing medications or antacids appeared in the news today. One study showed an increased risk of community-acquired pneumonia in those taking acid suppressors. Another study concerned the death of a liver transplant donor whose death was found to be caused by the colonization of his stomach with the bacteria, Clostridium perfringens, after consuming a lobster takeout dinner following surgery. The patient had been given acid-suppressing H2 blockers before surgery. "Surgical stress, relative portal hypertension, and subsequent acute gastropathy with an alkaline environment induced by the H2 blocker most likely increased the stomach's susceptibility to Clostridia," according to an Oct. 26, 2004 Reuters Health Information article. As multitudes of baby-boomers with an appetite for over-the-counter acid suppressors enter the Medicare system, how many billions of taxpayer dollars will go to treating illnesses caused by the unbridled and unnecessary use of these acid-suppressing drugs being pushed on the public by irresponsible, greedy pharmaceutical companies who deliberately hold back known information about the harm long term use of these drugs can do? This Celiac List has a number of postings in the archives about alternative treatments for gastric acid related problems. ---------- *Please provide references to back up claims of a product being GF or not GF*