U.S. health regulators said that patients taking prescription ulcer drugs at high doses or for longer periods may have increased risk of fractures of the hip, wrist and spine.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said it was revising the prescription and over-the-counter labels for the drugs to include new safety information about the possible increased risk of fractures.
The increased fractures are due to the decreased acid in the stomach which inhibits assimilation and absorption of certain minerals, especially calcium and iron. That's why 'Tums with Calcium' is quite ironic. The antacid neutralizes hydrochloric acid, which in turn inhibits calcium absorption. Quite the marketing ploy.
