Neurol Clin Pract

Use of acid reflux drugs linked to migraine, severe headache

April 30, 2024

Use of acid-suppressive therapy of any type was associated with higher odds of migraine or severe headache.

Investigators used data from adults in the 1999-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) for this cross-sectional analysis. Acid-suppressive therapy use was identified from self-report confirmed by product packaging review. Respondents who reported migraine or severe headache in the past 3 months were classified in the migraine or severe headache group. One 24-hour recall interview was used to determine dietary magnesium intake. An interaction test was conducted to evaluate whether migraine or severe headache prevalence differed by nutritional magnesium intake across acid-suppressive therapy users and nonusers.

Among 11,818 U.S. adults examined, use of acid-suppressive therapy was associated with higher odds of migraine or severe headache for all types of acid-suppressive therapy and use of any type vs. nonuse: 70% higher odds for PPIs; 40% higher for H2RAs; and 30% higher for generic antacids. Differences between types of acid-suppressive therapy weren’t significant. An interaction was seen for H2RA use and magnesium intake (p = 0.024).

Source:

Slavin M, et al. (2024, April 24). Neurol Clin Pract. Use of Acid-Suppression Therapy and Odds of Migraine and Severe Headache in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38682005/