Omeprazole and Zantac

[pom01326]

I started taking Omeprazole about 6 years ago for a slight hiatus hernia. After 4 years I was feeling very poorly and my hair was falling out, so the doctor put me on Zantac and Peptac. I still felt poorly so the doctor tested for B12, it was 127 and I was given loading doses then 12 weekly. It didn't make much difference to my general health. I have decided to stop taking the Zantac in the hope that I can absorb B12 again. I stopped taking it 5 days ago and am still suffering heartburn. I am also very tired and fall asleep every afternoon. Does anyone know how long this might last? Since stopping the Zantac I have been less irritable.

[clivealive Forum Support]

Hi pom01326 both the PPI and the antidepressants have an adverse effect on B12 levels which probably explain your deficiency.

It is also important that your Folate level is monitored as this is essential to process the B12.

There is a complex interaction between folic acid, vitamin B12 and iron. A deficiency of one may be "masked" by excess of another so the three must always be in balance.

Symptoms of a folate deficiency can include:

symptoms related to anaemia

reduced sense of taste

diarrhoea

numbness and tingling in the feet and hands

muscle weakness

depression

Replacing B12 will lead to a huge increase in the production of blood cells and platelets (which occurs in the bone marrow) and can lead to rapid depletion of folate and iron stores; this can then limit the expected recovery of Hb. Both iron and folate may be needed.

If you are still taking the omeprazole you are still at risk of B12 deficiency as it reduces the acid level in the stomach needed to process it so you will need to continue with the injections.

I am not a medically trained person but I've had Pernicious Anemia (a form of B12 deficiency) for more than 46 years.

I wish you well.

[pom01326 in reply to clivealive]

Thank you, I stopped taking Omeprazole a couple of years ago. I am hoping that stopping it and Zantac will enable the acid balance in my stomach to become normal and be able to absorb B12 naturally.

[clivealive Forum Support in reply to pom01326]

Well done then. - plenty of red meats, eggs, seafood and dairy produce for B12 and lots of leafy greens for Folate.

[fbirder in reply to clivealive]

And take some B12 tablets for a few months.

[Granan in reply to pom01326]

I will never forget how ill I became on Omeprazole and other medications prescribed to deal with side effects. I take no medications now and rely on a mostly Mediterranean type diet with emphasis on avoiding empty calories and processed food. Listen to and trust your body, you know it better than any other person.