Warning over new side effect from acid reflux drugs taken by millions trends now

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Millions of people who take acid reflux drugs could be putting themselves at a higher risk of migraine, experts have warned.

Scientists have discovered that medicine commonly taken to treat symptoms such as chest pain, heartburn and difficulty swallowing might trigger debilitating headaches.

The drugs include proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) such as omeprazole and esomeprazole, H2 blockers such as cimetidine and famotidine, and antacid supplements – all of which are available in the UK.

Researchers at the University of Maryland analysed data from more than 11,800 people who provided information on their use of acid-reducing drugs and whether they had experienced a migraine or severe headache in the past three months.

Analysis revealed people taking PPIs were 70 per cent more likely to have a migraine than people not taking them, those taking H2 blockers were 40 per cent more likely and those taking antacid supplements were 30 per cent more likely.