According to research, there is a higher chance of gastrointestinal issues among migraineurs. On the other hand, people with conditions like GERD and acid reflux, constipation, diarrhea, and nausea are more likely to experience chronic, incapacitating migraines. Given this gut-brain connection, one may assume that treating gut issues would also help with migraines. On the other hand, a recent study indicates that the converse may be true: taking drugs to relieve the digestive system may make migraine attacks more likely.
Dr. Slavin and colleagues examined data on around 12,000 adult Americans who had disclosed information on their use of heartburn medications and whether they had experienced a migraine episode or severe headache within the previous three months. Their study was published April 24, 2024, in the journal Neurology Clinical Practice.
According to the data, people who took proton pump inhibitors for persistent heartburn had a 70% higher risk of having a migraine or having a severe headache when compared to people who did not take these drugs. Compared to those who do not take antacid medications, those who take Prilosec, Prevacid, and Nexium have a 70% higher likelihood of reporting migraine attacks or severe headaches. Individuals using popular antacids like Tums and Alka-Seltzer, as well as medications like Pepcid AC and Zantac 360, had a 40 percent and 30 percent increased risk of severe headache or migraine, respectively.
The study found a correlation rather than proof that antacids cause or exacerbate headaches or migraines.