Acid-suppressing medications associated with vitamin B12 deficiency

Use for 2 or more years of proton pump inhibitors and histamine 2 receptor antagonists (two types of acid-inhibiting medications) was associated with a subsequent new diagnosis of vitamin B 12 deficiency, according to a study appearing in the December 11 issue of JAMA. "Vitamin B 12 deficiency is relatively common, especially among older adults; it has potentially serious medical complications if undiagnosed.