Impact of non-antibiotic drugs on the human intestinal microbiome

Introduction The gut microbiota is composed of trillions of microbial cells and viruses that interact with hosts. The composition of the gut microbiota is influenced by several factors including age, diet, diseases, or medications. The impact of drugs on the microbiota is not limited to antibiotics and many non-antibiotic molecules significantly alter the composition of the intestinal microbiota. Areas covered This review focuses on the impact of four of the most widely prescribed non-antibiotic drugs in the world: Proton-pump inhibitors, metformin, statins, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory. We conducted a systematic review by searching online databases including Medline, Web of science, and Scopus for indexed articles published in English until February 2021. We included studies assessing the intestinal microbiome alterations associated with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), metformin, statins, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Only studies using culture-independent molecular techniques were included. Expert opinion The taxonomical signature associated with non-antibiotic drugs are not yet fully described, especially in the field of metabolomic. The identification of taxonomic profiles associated a specific molecule provides information on its mechanism of action through interaction with the intestinal microbiota. Many side effects could be related to the dysbiosis induced by these molecules.

Automated summary

The gut microbiota, composed of trillions of microbial cells and viruses, is influenced by factors such as age, diet, diseases, and medications. This review focuses on the impact of four widely prescribed non-antibiotic drugs: Proton-pump inhibitors, metformin, statins, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Studies using culture-independent molecular techniques have shown that the taxonomical signature associated with non-antibiotic drugs can alter the intestinal microbiome, potentially leading to dysbiosis and related side effects.