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World J Nephrol. Dec 6, 2012; 1(6): 151-154
Published online Dec 6, 2012. doi: 10.5527/wjn.v1.i6.151
Published online Dec 6, 2012. doi: 10.5527/wjn.v1.i6.151
Proton pump inhibitor-induced hypomagnesemia: A new challenge
Matilda Florentin, Moses S Elisaf, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, University of Ioannina, Ioannina 45110, Greece
Author contributions: Florentin M and Elisaf MS jointly contributed to this paper.
Correspondence to: Moses S Elisaf, MD, FASA, FRSH, Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, University of Ioannina, Ioannina 45110, Greece. egepi@cc.uoi.gr
Telephone: +30-2651-7509 Fax: +30-2651-7016
Received: August 20, 2011
Revised: May 27, 2012
Accepted: September 25, 2012
Published online: December 6, 2012
Revised: May 27, 2012
Accepted: September 25, 2012
Published online: December 6, 2012
Abstract
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are commonly used in clinical practice for the prevention and treatment of peptic ulcer, gastritis, esophagitis and gastroesophageal reflux. Hypomagnesemia has recently been recognized as a side effect of PPIs. Low magnesium levels may cause symptoms from several systems, some of which being potentially serious, such as tetany, seizures and arrhythmias. It seems that PPIs affect the gastrointestinal absorption of magnesium. Clinicians should be vigilant in order to timely consider and prevent or reverse hypomagnesemia in patients who take PPIs, especially if they are prone to this electrolyte disorder.
Keywords: Hypocalcemia; Hypokalemia; Hypomagnesemia; Proton pump inhibitors; Transient receptor potential melastatin