Millions of people across the UK take these pills
06:55, 14 Feb 2026Updated 13:26, 14 Feb 2026
The medication is commonly-used in the UK(Image: MartinPrescott via Getty Images)
A widely-used medication taken by millions across the UK could dramatically increase the risk of dementia, according to new research. The study revealed that individuals who use these tablets for longer than 4.4 years may face a 33% greater likelihood of developing dementia compared to those who have never taken them.
The 2023 research, featured in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology, examined 5,712 participants aged 45 and older who were dementia-free at the study’s outset. The average age of those involved was 75.
Scientists assessed whether participants were using proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), medications that reduce stomach acid secretion by inhibiting enzymes in the stomach lining that produce acid. Among those studied, 1,490 people, some 26%, had used these drugs.
Participants were then categorised into four groups depending on their usage patterns: those who hadn’t taken the medication; individuals who used them for up to 2.8 years; those taking them between 2.8 and 4.4 years; and people who had been on them for more than 4.4 years.
Acid reflux occurs when stomach acid travels back into the oesophagus, typically following meals or whilst lying down. Sufferers may experience heartburn and develop ulcers. Those experiencing persistent acid reflux could develop gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, or GORD, which carries the potential risk of oesophageal cancer.
“Proton pump inhibitors are a useful tool to help control acid reflux, however long-term use has been linked in previous studies to a higher risk of stroke, bone fractures and chronic kidney disease,” explained study author Kamakshi Lakshminarayan, MBBS, PhD, of the University of Minnesota School of Public Health in Minneapolis, and a member of the American Academy of Neurology.
“Still, some people take these drugs regularly, so we examined if they are linked to a higher risk of dementia. Whilst we did not find a link with short-term use, we did find a higher risk of dementia associated with long-term use of these drugs.”
Participants were monitored for an average period of 5.5 years. During this time, dementia developed in 585 individuals, equating to 10% of the group.
Out of the 4,222 participants who did not take the drugs, 415 developed dementia, which translates to 19 cases per 1,000 person-years. Person-years is a measure that combines the number of people in the study and the duration each person spends in the study.
Among the 497 participants who took the drugs for more than 4.4 years, 58 developed dementia, or 24 cases per 1,000 person years. After adjusting for variables such as age, sex, race, and health-related factors like high blood pressure and diabetes, researchers discovered that those who had been taking acid reflux drugs for over 4.4 years had a 33% increased risk of developing dementia compared to those who never took the drugs.
The study did not identify an increased dementia risk for those who used the drugs for less than 4.4 years. However, it’s crucial to note that this research does not establish a causal link between acid reflux medication and dementia; it merely indicates a correlation.
Lakshminarayan, one of the researchers, emphasised the need for further investigation: “More research is needed to confirm our findings and explore reasons for the possible link between long-term proton pump inhibitor use and a higher risk of dementia,” He added that whilst there are various methods to manage acid reflux, such as taking antacids, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding late meals and certain foods, these strategies may not be effective for everyone.
“While there are various ways to treat acid reflux, such as taking antacids, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding late meals and certain foods, different approaches may not work for everyone. It is important that people taking these medications speak with their doctor before making any changes, to discuss the best treatment for them, and because stopping these drugs abruptly may result in worse symptoms.”
One limitation of the study was the annual frequency of medication usage inquiries, leading researchers to estimate usage between yearly check-ins. If participants discontinued and then resumed their acid reflux medication within these intervals, the estimated usage could have been inaccurate.
The authors also couldn’t determine if participants were using over-the-counter acid reflux medication. The National Institutes of Health, including the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, funded the study.