Could your heartburn meds cause gut bacteria overgrowth? new study investigates
NCT ID NCT05976165
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study is looking at whether people who take proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for heartburn or acid reflux develop an overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine. Researchers will use a simple breath test to check for this condition. The goal is to learn how common this problem is and how it relates to symptoms like bloating.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Breath testing (carbohydrate solution)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could help doctors understand whether PPIs raise the risk of SIBO and guide better management of heartburn.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early observational study with only 50 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. Breath testing is not a direct treatment.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
-
About 50 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
-
Nov 2023
- Expected to finish
-
Jan 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
18 years and older
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion criteria: * Predominant symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease including heartburn, regurgitation * Subjects must be able to give appropriate informed consent Exclusion criteria: * Prior diagnosis of SIBO * Use of PPIs or H2R-anatagonstists in the prior 3 months * Major concomitant illness (renal, hepatic, rheumatologic or cardiovascular disease, or malignancy) * Antibiotic therapy within one month * Prior gastrointestinal surgery including esophageal, gastric, and small or large bowel surgery * Previously diagnosed irritable bowel syndrome or inflammatory bowel disease * Individuals who are pregnant or breast feeding * Patients with plans to become pregnant * Inability to take PPIs, including allergy/sensitivity
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Gastroesophageal reflux are added.
Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
-
The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
-
The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
-
A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Mayo Clinic Florida
RECRUITINGJacksonville, Florida, 32224, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Heartburn drug under the microscope: registry tracks thousands of pregnancies
- Which acid blocker wins in obese reflux patients?
- Through-the-Mouth surgery vs keyhole surgery: which works better for a rare swallowing disorder?
- Zapping the esophagus: an implantable device takes on chronic heartburn
- Feeding into the small intestine may reduce reflux and oxygen dips in fragile preterm infants
- Unnecessary test? study questions routine throat tube before reflux surgery