Acid Reflux Drugs Worsen Migraine

A study of almost 12,000 subjects over 5 years by the University of Maryland found that those who used proton pump inhibitors (e.g., esomeprazole, pantoprazole, omeprazole) and antacids (e.g. TUMS) had higher risk of migraine attacks. Those who used antacids had a 30% increased risk of migraine attacks while those treated with proton pump inhibitors had a whopping 70% higher risk!

This is similar to my experience in some patients with migraine and vestibular migraine. They report that their migraine symptoms begin flaring up after they start acid reflux treatments, usually proton pump inhibitors. So, why do these medications aggravate migraine activity?

The answer is: magnesium! Magnesium is an element involved in hundreds of biochemical reactions in the body and is absolutely critical to brain health. Low magnesium levels are linked to migraine, and supplementing with magnesium often improves migraine activity. Calcium carbonate in antacids competes with magnesium for absorption in the gut and thus, reduces the levels of magnesium in the body. Proton pump inhibitors are believed to interfere with the gut’s ability to absorb magnesium.

What should you do if you have migraine and need to start acid reflux treatment? One simple solution is to increase your magnesium intake by using magnesium supplements. One of my patients had more migraine attacks after he started esomeprazole (Nexium) and found that taking extra magnesium supplements relieved this completely.