Mumbai, October 4: The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC), on September 27, issued a drug safety alert for doctors and patients regarding the use of the acid-reflux medicine Esomeprazole. The pharma standard body has asked doctors, patients, and medical professionals to monitor the side effects of the antacid Esomeprazole closely. The development comes after a report suggested that the Esomeprazole drug increases the hormone prolactin above normal levels.

According to a report in News18, the Pharmacovigilance Program of India (PvPI), in its "preliminary analysis," found that the Esomeprazole drug helps to elevate the hormone prolactin to such levels that are considered abnormal. It must be noted that the PvPU is a body that monitors and collects information about adverse drug reactions (ADRs) besides analysing adverse events associated with pharmaceutical products. EzriCare Artificial Tears: Tamil Nadu's Drug Regulatory Body Takes Samples of Eye Drops From Chennai-Based Pharma Company After US FDA Flags Contamination.

What is Hyperprolactinemia?

The report also stated that the Esomeprazole drug has been labelled a "suspected drug." As per the drug safety alert issued by IPC, the Esomeprazole drug could react adversely and cause "hyperprolactinemia." However, it is important to understand what Hyperprolactinemia is. In simple terms, Hyperprolactinemia can be understood as a condition where an individual has higher-than-normal levels of prolactin hormone in his or her blood.

Hyperprolactinemia condition can cause infertility, increase the risk of bone fractures, lead to vision loss, acne, and excessive body and facial hair growth. The decrease of one's muscle mass is among several other side effects of Hyperprolactinemia. The Esomeprazole, which could cause "hyperprolactinemia," is reportedly manufactured by top drug makers, including Sun Pharma, Torrent, Pfizer, and Cipla. USFDA Issues Warning Letter to Intas Pharma for Sanand Plant.

"Healthcare professionals, patients, or consumers are advised to closely monitor the possibility of the above adverse drug reaction (ADR) associated with the use of the above-suspected drug," the IPC's alert issued on September 27 stated. But when do doctors prescribe Esomeprazole? Healthcare professionals prescribe Esomeprazole to treat conditions where there is too much acid in the stomach. Too much acid in the stomach causes problems such as acid reflux and ulcers.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 04, 2023 05:59 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).