Bisphosphonate use and subsequent prescription of acid suppressants

AIM: To determine the extent of prescribing of acid suppression agents associated with initiation of bisphosphonate therapy. METHODS: This was a case control study, performed within the General Practice Network, Australia. The main outcome measure was re-attendance within six weeks from index bisphosphonate prescription for acid supression agents. RESULTS: Of the bisphosphonate cases, 2.9%[95% confidence interval (CI) 1.8, 3.9] returned within 6 weeks for a prescription for proton pump inhibitor, histamine 2 receptor antagonist or antacid, compared with 0.9% of control patients (95% CI 0.5, 1.2). However, the bisphosphonate cases had significantly higher rates of previous use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents. After controlling for previous nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use, the increased use of acid suppression agents was statistically significant, the odds ratio = 3.21 (95% CI 2.02, 5.11). CONCLUSION: Bisphosphonate use appears to be associated with increased use of acid suppressant agents within 6 weeks of first supply.