Prilosec, also called omeprazole, is a medication that helps lower the amount of acid your stomach produces. It belongs to a group of medications called proton pump inhibitors that doctors prescribe to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, and gastric ulcers. Although it doesn't immediately relieve heartburn symptoms, it can lower your chances for suffering from heartburn. However, Prilosec interacts with vitamin B-12.
Vitamin B-12
Vitamin B-12 is an essential water-soluble vitamin your body uses for forming DNA and red blood cells and for brain function and turning the food you eat into energy. You need to consume a certain amount of vitamin B-12 each day for good health. Getting vitamin B-12 from food is best, but some people may require a supplement due to difficulties with vitamin B-12 absorption.
Prilosec and Vitamin B-12 Interaction
If you take Prilosec, you may need to take vitamin B-12 supplements, because Prilosec decreases the amount of vitamin B-12 you absorb. Stomach acid is necessary for the absorption of vitamin B-12 from foods, and Prilosec lowers the amount of acid you have in your stomach, making it harder for your body to absorb vitamin B-12. The higher the dose of Prilosec you take, the less vitamin B-12 you absorb from food, according to a February 1994 article published in the "Annals of Internal Medicine." If you already have low vitamin B-12 stores or difficulty absorbing this vitamin, taking Prilosec for an extended time could cause you to become deficient in vitamin B-12.
Vitamin B-12 Deficiency
The recommended dietary allowance for vitamin B-12 is 2.4 mcg per day for adults. Consuming less than this makes it more likely you will become vitamin B-12 deficient. Symptoms of this deficiency include weakness, anemia, fatigue, constipation, weight loss and loss of appetite. More serious symptoms include tingling in feet and hands, poor memory, confusion, depression, dementia, difficulty keeping your balance and a sore mouth and tongue.
Considerations
If your doctor prescribes Prilosec, ask if you should take a vitamin B-12 supplement. Do not take supplements without first speaking to your doctor to make sure they are safe, since these supplements may interact with certain medications, making them less effective. There is also a risk of toxicity if you take too much of some vitamins.
References
- Drugs.com: Prilosec
- Office of Dietary Supplements: Vitamin B-12
- Linus Pauling Institute; Vitamin B-12; Jane Higdon, Ph.D., et al.; August 2007
- "Annals of Internal Medicine"; Omeprazole Therapy Causes Malabsorption of Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12); Stefan P. Marcuard, MD, et al.; February 1994
- "Annals of Pharmacotherapy"; Omeprazole and Vitamin B12 Deficiency; G.S. Bradford, et al.; May 1999
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