Q. Is there a link between acid-suppressing drugs and forgetfulness? My mother has been on Tagamet, Zantac and now Prilosec for many years, and her forgetfulness seems unusual.
A. A recent study reported an association between the use of acid-suppressing drugs such as Pepcid (famotidine), Tagamet (cimetidine) and Zantac (ranitidine) and declining mental function. The subjects were older African Americans in Indianapolis (Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, Aug. 2007).
One possible explanation for such problems might be depletion of vitamin B12. This nutrient is essential for normal mental functioning. Vitamin B12 is absorbed best when there is acid in the stomach. Long-term use of acid-suppressors may make it harder to maintain adequate B12 levels.
