And she’s not the only one who has made this observation. In France, the High Authority for Health has recommended since 2022 not to prolong this type of treatment beyond four weeks for simple gastric reflux, except for a very specific medical reason.
The real problem is not the medication.
Before emptying your medicine cabinet, take a deep breath. Pharmacist Aurélien Tesson puts it clearly: “We shouldn’t give the impression that omeprazole is a bad medicine.”
PPIs are effective. The problem arises when they are renewed for months—sometimes years—without anyone questioning whether they are still truly necessary. A treatment that was initially helpful can become an automatic habit whose value is no longer questioned.
What are the risks of prolonged use?
PPIs significantly reduce stomach acid production. This is precisely what makes them effective… but this action, in the long term, can disrupt certain digestive functions.
