The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 273 No 7325 p706
13 November 2004

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Pneumonia and ulcer drugs

Use of medicines that suppress gastric acid is associated with an increased risk of community-acquired pneumonia. Current users of H₂-receptor antagonists had a 1.63-fold increased risk of pneumonia compared with those who had stopped using these medicines. For users of proton pump inhibitors the risk was increased 1.89-fold compared with those who stopped (JAMA 2004;292:1955).