AboutDr Alan Galbraith Expertise I can answer most questions on drugs, both medical and "recreational". Answers can be given in either technical or layperson terminology. My main areas of interest are psychiatric, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular drugs.
Experience I have been a university lecturer/head of department for almost thirty years, but am now retired. My research interests were alcohol, smoking and cardiovascular disease.
Organizations Institute of Biology, London.
Publications Principal author of "Fundamentals of Pharmacology" 4th Edition published in November 2003 by Pearson Education, Australia.
Expert: Dr Alan Galbraith Date: 5/14/2008 Subject: PPIs and Food Poisoning
Question I have taken a number of different PPIs for several years. At least twice a year I
have had horrible cases of food poisoning that no one else has gotten. I wonder
if the reduced acid leaves me more vulnerable to pathogens. (I live in the USA)
Thank you.
Answer Dear Patricia
This is very possible because stomach acid helps prevent bacteria from reaching the lower gut alive. My advice would be to very careful in what you eat and drink while using any PPI or change to a an antihistamine such as ranitidine, although not so effective in GERD etc does not suppress acid production as much as a PPI>
