Those who take acid suppressive medications may increase their risks of developing pneumonia, according to a review in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

Acid suppressive medications, such as proton pump inhibitors and histamine2 receptor antagonists, are the second leading medication worldwide, according to the journal. Sales totaled more than $26 billion in 2005. Some 40-70% of hospitalized patients receive these drugs. That  suggests that these medications could be the cause of hospital-acquired pneumonia, the journal noted.

The review incorporated all relevant studies on the association of acid suppressive medications and pneumonia that could be identified to August 2009, the journal said. It showed that out of every 200 inpatients being treated with acid suppressive medication one will develop pneumonia.