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Medicines

Medication that increases the risk of vitamin B12 deficiency

The following drugs impair the absorption of vitamin B12 in various ways:

Drug	Reason for use
Proton pump inhibitors: Prevacid, Prilosec, Protonix, Nexium, Aciphex, Omeprazole	Heartburn/gastritis Gastroesophageal reflux disease (acid reflux) Ulcers Upper gastrointestinal bleeding H. pylori infection
H2-blockers: Zantac, Tagamet, Axid, Pepcid	Heartburn/gastritis Gastroesophageal reflux disease (acid reflux) Ulcers Upper gastrointestinal bleeding
Antacids: Alternagel, Maalox, MOM, Mylanta, Riopan, Tums	Heartburn/gastritis Acid indigestion Peptic ulcer disease Gastroesophageal reflux disease Hiatal hernia
Biguanides: Metformin, Glucophage, Riomet, Fortamet, Glumetza, Obimet, Dianben, Diabex, Diaformin, Glucovance	Diabetes
K-Lor, K-Lyte, Klotrix, K-Dur, Micro-K, Slow-K, potassium chloride	Potassium deficiency- often prescribed for patients with congestive heart failure, kidney failure or cirrhosis of the liver, and for patients who receive diuretics (“water pills”) such as Lasix, Bumex or hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ)
Colchicine	gout
Questran	Elevated cholesterol levels
Neomycin	infections
Para-aminosalicylic acid	tuberculosis

Source: Could it be B12? – Sally M. Pacholok & Jeffrey J. Stuart, pages 53-54

Note:

Only because these medications may inhibit or limit vitamin B12 absorption does not mean you should stop taking these drugs. It is, however, advisable to start supplementing vitamin B12.

Medication that is sometimes misprescribed for vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms

If you were prescribed any of the following drugs, you could be suffering from vitamin B12 deficiency diagnosed as a different disease. If a vitamin B12 deficiency is not addressed correctly, this can create an irreversible or even life-threatening situation.

Drugs	Commonly prescribed for
Celexa, Effexor, Elavil, Nardil, Pamelor, Paxil, Prozac, Serzone, Sinequan, Tofranil, Wellbutrin, Zoloft	Depression
Ativan, Klonopin, Librium, Paxil, Serax, Tranxene, Valium, Xanaz	Anxiety and panic disorder
Viagra, Xialis, Levitra	Erectile dysfunction
Aricept, Cognex, Namenda, Exelon, Reminyl	Dementia
Antivert	Dizziness, imbalance, and vertigo
Detrol, Ditropan, Levbid	Incontinence
Compazine, Geodon, Haldol, Navane, Risperdal, Stelazine, Tegretol, Thorazine	Psychosis
Ambien, Dalmane, Halcion, Restoril	Insomnia
Cylert, Ritalin	Fatigue
Diamox, Inderal, Mysoline, Symmetrel	Tremors
Elavil, Neurontin, Tegretol	Numbness and tingling
Folic acid (folate), Folvite, apo-folic acid (folate is a dietary supplement that is often given to alcoholics and patients that do not get healthy nutrition, and is also used to diminish stomach cancer risk or treat elevated homocysteine levels)(addition: folic acid and vitamin B12 use each other to function properly within the body, if you take folic acid without extra vitamin B12, you can develop a B12 deficiency)	Fatigue

Source: Could it be B12? – Sally M. Pacholok & Jeffrey J. Stuart, pages 54-55

Note:

If you take any of these drugs, it is strongly recommended ruling out a vitamin B12 deficiency.

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Medicines

Medication that increases the risk of vitamin B12 deficiency

Note:

Medication that is sometimes misprescribed for vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms

Note:

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