Proton Pump Inhibitors and the Gut Microbiota: From Mechanisms to Clinical Implications

Abstract

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are among the most widely used drugs in clinical practice. Although generally effective and well tolerated, their widespread and frequently prolonged use has raised concerns about both gastrointestinal and systemic adverse effects. Some of these effects may be directly or indirectly mediated by proton-pump-inhibitor-induced alterations of the gut microbiota. Proton pump inhibitors can reshape gastrointestinal microbial communities through multiple mechanisms, including gastric acid suppression, impaired barrier function, and modulation of the immune and metabolic pathways. The resulting dysbiosis promotes oral-to-gut microbial translocation, reduces microbial diversity, and favors the expansion of potentially pathogenic taxa. These alterations have been associated with several gastrointestinal disorders such as small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, enteric infections, and disturbances of the gut–liver axis, while emerging evidence suggests broader implications for carcinogenesis and the response to immune checkpoint inhibitors. In this context, microbiota-modulating interventions, including probiotics, may provide clinical benefits; however, the current evidence remains limited and inconsistent, precluding their routine use. By integrating mechanistic and clinical evidence, this review aims to clarify the role of the gut microbiota in proton-pump-inhibitor-related adverse effects and to assess the potential of microbiota-targeted strategies to mitigate their clinical consequences.