PPIs in Chronic Nephropatic Patient

Chronic nephropathic patients often present morphological and functional alterations of the gastro-enteric apparatus. Gastrointestinal diseases represent the most common and early signs. PPIs presented for many decades an important inhibitory effect on gastric acid secretion: they have a common chemical structure, a common mechanism of action and they are very important for treating acid-related pathologies, for Helicobacter Pylori eradication, for preventing and curing NSAIDs gastropathies. We prescribe this class of drugs to our patients even after the pathology resolution (gastroprotection). However can PPIs be indiscriminately used with chronic nephropathic patients or is it necessary to know the drug profile, in order to make a better choice? In this paper we argue that collateral effects are not very relevant and that they are very similar: their long-term usage is very safe. Power and efficacy of the different PPIs results very similar on the basis of how many milligrams of substance has been used and on the basis of clinical trials. The only exception that is shown in this paper is represented by 6 haemodialysis patients, which have been treated with lansoprazol (15 mgs). They presented gastritis and peptic ulcers, which were complicated by episodes of severe hematemesis and melena, with a consequent anaemia. Even though all PPIs have shown a similar clinical efficacy it is important to evaluate from time to time the (relative) advantages of each PPI. Criteria for a correct choice should be based mainly on official indications, on available doses and on the safety of the drug.