Heartburn medicines and B-12 deficiency

Answer Section

Some studies have found a link between heartburn medicines and low vitamin B-12 levels. Not having enough vitamin B-12 is called vitamin B-12 deficiency.

Medicines to treat heartburn, also called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), work by blocking stomach acid. Blocking stomach acid can keep the body from taking in vitamin B-12.

Why is this important? Vitamin B-12 deficiency can cause complications if it's not treated. These can include a condition in which the blood makes too few red blood cells, called anemia, and swelling of the tongue, called glossitis. Other complications include numbness and trouble walking.

Two common types of GERD medicines have been linked to vitamin B-12 deficiency:

• H-2-receptor blockers. These include cimetidine (Tagamet HB), famotidine (Pepcid AC) and ranitidine.
• Proton pump inhibitors. These include omeprazole (Prilosec), esomeprazole (Nexium) and lansoprazole (Prevacid).

Some studies have found that taking either type of medicine daily for a year or more increases the risk of vitamin B-12 deficiency.

If you're worried about your vitamin B-12 level, talk with your healthcare professional. If your B-12 level is low, ask if a lower dose of your GERD medicine might control your symptoms. And ask if you need to take a vitamin B-12 supplement.