A family doctor is sounding the alarm about one of Britain’s most commonly prescribed medications, warning that millions could be harming their health without realising it.
Omeprazole, the acid reflux drug taken by countless people across the UK, might be doing more damage than good when used incorrectly, according to Dr Ana Pérez Ballesta.
The medication belongs to a group called proton pump inhibitors, which includes similar drugs like esomeprazole and lansoprazole.
While these medicines work brilliantly for treating genuine stomach problems, Dr Ballesta warned that too many people are popping them like sweets without proper medical guidance.
“If you take it unnecessarily, it can hinder the absorption of calcium, magnesium, and vitamin B12,” she cautioned.
The numbers are staggering – in 2022-23 alone, doctors in England wrote 73 million prescriptions for proton pump inhibitors, with omeprazole topping the list.
But many people have started using these pills as a sort of safety net before big nights out or heavy meals.
Dr Ballesta, who holds a master’s degree in Emergency Medicine, says she’s noticed patients treating omeprazole like a “stomach protector” – taking it before drinking alcohol or eating rich foods.
The problem is, this isn’t what the medication was designed for.
It’s meant to treat specific conditions like reflux, oesophagitis, stomach ulcers, or to help eliminate Helicobacter pylori bacteria.
Using it as a preventative measure without a proper medical reason has become worryingly common, even though doctors say there’s no such thing as a true “stomach protector.” The health consequences of taking omeprazole without a proper need can be severe.
Dr Ballesta warns that years of unnecessary use can block your body’s ability to absorb vital nutrients like calcium, magnesium, iron and vitamin B12.
