Drug & supplement interaction

Vitamin B12 + Esomeprazole

Esomeprazole brand name: Nexium.

No Known Interaction
The bottom line No known interaction

We found no known interaction between Vitamin B12 and Esomeprazole in our sources. Absence of a documented interaction is not the same as proven safety, and does not guarantee one does not exist. Do not start, stop, or change a medication or supplement based on this page; confirm with your pharmacist or doctor first. Additionally, although there is no interaction, the label for Esomeprazole states a food rule worth keeping to, and the two are separately associated with some of the same side effects, which would make a new symptom harder to attribute to one or the other.

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Interaction report

Vitamin B12 and Esomeprazole

We checked these two against our interaction database. Here is what we found.

No Known Interaction Found

We did not find a documented interaction between Esomeprazole and Vitamin B12 in our sources. This does not guarantee that the combination is completely free of risk — there is often limited research on supplements and herbal products, especially around drug interactions.

If you decide to take both, the practical routine is simple: add one new thing at a time and note the date you started it. If the combination is going to disagree with you, it usually shows in the first days to a couple of weeks — and a start date turns “I’ve been feeling off” into something a pharmacist can actually work with. Do not stop a prescribed medicine on your own.

Always talk with your pharmacist or doctor before making changes to your medications or supplements, particularly if you take several medications or have an ongoing health condition.

Vitamin B12 safety at a glance

Vitamin B12 overall Generally safe B12 is generally very safe and has no established upper limit because excess is removed in the urine.
Pregnancy Likely Safe When used orally in amounts that do not exceed the recommended dietary allowance (RDA). The RDA for vitamin B12 during pregnancy is 2.6 mcg daily. There is insu... Read the full pregnancy detail
Breastfeeding Likely Safe When used orally in amounts that do not exceed the recommended dietary allowance (RDA). The RDA of vitamin B12 during lactation is 2.8 mcg daily. There is insuf... Read the full breastfeeding detail

Pregnancy & breastfeeding ratings are from Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center) — the full detail is in the Special populations card below. Safety guidance is general; always confirm with your pharmacist or doctor for your situation.

Still wondering about combining Esomeprazole and Vitamin B12? Ask Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS directly ›
How we checked

Why No Interaction Is Listed for Esomeprazole

Interactions in our licensed database are recorded against drug classes, not just single drug names. Esomeprazole is filed under 6 classifications — including proton pump inhibitors (ppis), cytochrome p450 2c19 (cyp2c19) inhibitors, cytochrome p450 1a2 (cyp1a2) inducers. Vitamin B12 has documented interactions with 1 drug class — the most serious being metformin (glucophage) (minor) — and none of Esomeprazole’s classifications are among them.

Classification data comes from our licensed Natural Medicines dataset. A medication can belong to classes beyond those recorded there, so this describes how the check was run — it is not a safety guarantee.

Keep it in perspective

Vitamin B12 Does Interact With Other Medications

Vitamin B12 has 20 minor known drug interactions in our database — Esomeprazole isn’t one of them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Vitamin B12

Covers the 2,830 medications we’ve checked against Vitamin B12. Pick one to open its full report.

What to actually watch for

No Interaction Found — But Data Suggests Vitamin B12 and Esomeprazole May Share Several of the Same Side Effects

This is not an interaction. Neither one changes how your body handles the other, and nothing here says they react together. What our sources do show is that each has separately been linked to the effects below — so taking both can make those effects more likely to turn up, and harder to pin on one or the other if they do. 7 of them are worth acting on rather than waiting out — marked below.

  • Kidney problems Worth acting on reported in 30.8% of FDA reports for Esomeprazole Additional detail

    Vitamin B12

    “There is a case report of oxalate nephropathy in a 54-year-old male which was determined to be related to the use of intravenous hydroxocobalamin as treatment for cyanide poisoning. Intermittent hemodialysis was started 5 days after admission, along with a low-oxalate diet, oral calcium acetate, and pyridoxine 5 mg/kg daily.”

    Vitamin B12 · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in myasthenia gravis.

    2 sources cited
    1. 107148. Evans J, Pandya A, Ding Y, Qunibi WY. Hydroxocobalamin-Induced Oxalate Nephropathy in a Patient With Smoke Inhalation. Kidney Int Rep 2021;6(8):2228-2231. PubMed
    2. 107139. Dépret F, Hoffmann C, Daoud L, et al. Association between hydroxocobalamin administration and acute kidney injury after smoke inhalation: a multicenter retrospective study. Crit Care. 2019;23(1):421. PubMed

    Esomeprazole

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Esomeprazole, and in voluntary FDA adverse-event reports. Read the label on DailyMed ›

  • Trouble swallowing Worth acting on Additional detail

    Vitamin B12

    “Intravenously, vitamin B12 (hydroxocobalamin) 2.5-10 grams can cause nausea and dysphagia.”

    Vitamin B12 · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in nausea and vomiting.

    1 source cited
    1. 82864. Uhl, W., Nolting, A., Golor, G., Rost, K. L., and Kovar, A. Safety of hydroxocobalamin in healthy volunteers in a randomized, placebo-controlled study. Clin Toxicol (Phila) 2006;44 Suppl 1:17-28. PubMed

    Esomeprazole

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Esomeprazole. Read the label on DailyMed ›

  • Low potassium / Anemia Worth acting on Additional detail

    Vitamin B12

    “According to case report data, the correction of megaloblastic anemia with vitamin B12 may result in fatal hypokalemia.”

    Vitamin B12 · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in anemia.

    1 source cited
    1. 82914. Omboni, E., Checchini, M., and Longoni, F. [Hypopotassemia and megaloblastic anemia. Presentation of a case]. Minerva Med 8-31-1987;78(16):1255-1257.

    Esomeprazole

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Esomeprazole. Read the label on DailyMed ›

  • Raised blood pressure Worth acting on Additional detail

    Vitamin B12

    “In human clinical research, an intravenous loading dose of folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12, followed by daily oral administration after coronary stenting, increased restenosis rates. Hypertension following intravenous administration of hydroxocobalamin has been reported in human research.”

    Vitamin B12 · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in hypertension.

    3 sources cited
    1. 12150. Lange H, Suryapranata H, De Luca G, et al. Folate therapy and in-stent restenosis after coronary stenting. N Engl J Med 2004;350:2673-81. PubMed
    2. 82870. Borron, S. W., Baud, F. J., Barriot, P., Imbert, M., and Bismuth, C. Prospective study of hydroxocobalamin for acute cyanide poisoning in smoke inhalation. Ann Emerg.Med 2007;49(6):794-801, 801. PubMed
    3. 82864. Uhl, W., Nolting, A., Golor, G., Rost, K. L., and Kovar, A. Safety of hydroxocobalamin in healthy volunteers in a randomized, placebo-controlled study. Clin Toxicol (Phila) 2006;44 Suppl 1:17-28. PubMed

    Esomeprazole

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Esomeprazole. Read the label on DailyMed ›

  • Hives / An allergic reaction Worth acting on Additional detail

    Vitamin B12

    “Orally or intramuscularly, vitamin B12 can cause allergic reactions such as rash, pruritus, erythema, and urticaria. Theoretically, allergic reactions might be caused by the cobalt within the vitamin B12 molecule. In one case report, oral methylcobalamin resulted in contact dermatitis in a 59-year-old Japanese female with a cobalt allergy.”

    Vitamin B12 · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in allergic rhinitis (hay fever).

    6 sources cited
    1. 82864. Uhl, W., Nolting, A., Golor, G., Rost, K. L., and Kovar, A. Safety of hydroxocobalamin in healthy volunteers in a randomized, placebo-controlled study. Clin Toxicol (Phila) 2006;44 Suppl 1:17-28. PubMed
    2. 90373. Djuric V, Bogic M, Popadic AP, et al. Anaphylactic reaction to hydroxycobalamin with tolerance to cyanocobalamin. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2012;108(3):207-8. PubMed
    3. 90381. Kartel O, Gulec M, Demirel F, et al. Vitamin B12 allergy and successful desensitization with cyanocobalamin: A case report. Allergol Immunopath (Madr) 2012;40(5):324-5.
    4. 103974. Fujita Y, Mizukami T, Maya Y, et al. Vitamin B12 allergy manifesting as lymphomatoid contact dermatitis. Eur J Dermatol. 2020;30(3):304-305. PubMed
    5. 114578. Pegalajar-García MD, Cebolla-Verdugo M, Prados-Carmona Á, Llamas-Segura C, Navarro-Triviño FJ. Systemic allergic dermatitis to cobalt present in cyanocobalamin supplementation. Contact Dermatitis 2023;89(3):203-205. PubMed
    6. 90365. Aalfs As, Scholvinck LH, Horvath B. Acneiform eruption in a 5-year old due to vitamin B12 supplementation. Eur J Dermatol 2013;23(5):726-7. PubMed

    Esomeprazole

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Esomeprazole. Read the label on DailyMed ›

  • Tremor or shakiness Additional detail

    Vitamin B12

    “Treatment with vitamin B12 has been rarely associated with involuntary movements in infants with vitamin B12 deficiency. In some cases these adverse reactions were misdiagnosed as seizures or infantile tremor syndrome. These adverse reactions presented 2-5 days after treatment with vitamin B12 and resolved once vitamin B12 was discontinued.”

    Vitamin B12 · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in epilepsy.

    3 sources cited
    1. 90370. Carman KB, Belgemen T, Yis U. Involuntary movements misdiagnosed as seizure during vitamin B12 treatment. Pediatr Emerg Care 2013;29(11):1223-4. PubMed
    2. 90385. Patiroglu T, Unal E, Yildirim S. Infantile tremor syndrome associated with cobalamin therapy: A case report. Clin Neurol Neurosurg 2013;115(9):1903-5. PubMed
    3. 90397. Zanus C, Alberini E, Costa P, et al. Involuntary movements after correction of vitamin B12 deficiency: A video-case report. Epileptic Disord 2012;14(2):174-80. PubMed

    Esomeprazole

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Esomeprazole. Read the label on DailyMed ›

  • Itching Additional detail

    Vitamin B12

    Recorded for Vitamin B12 in the same Natural Medicines adverse-effect record shown under Hives / An allergic reaction above.

    Esomeprazole

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Esomeprazole. Read the label on DailyMed ›

  • Nausea reported in 5.8% of FDA reports for Esomeprazole Additional detail

    Vitamin B12

    Recorded for Vitamin B12 in the same Natural Medicines adverse-effect record shown under Trouble swallowing above.

    Esomeprazole

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Esomeprazole, and in voluntary FDA adverse-event reports. Read the label on DailyMed ›

Showing the 10 most notable of 11 shared effects — ranked by how unusual each one is, not just whether both lists mention it.

Reported for Vitamin B12 but not commonly for Esomeprazole: seizures.

Effects for Esomeprazole come from the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of its FDA label; effects for Vitamin B12 come from the Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, quoted above. Where a percentage is shown, it is the share of 235,235 voluntary FDA FAERS reports for Esomeprazole that mention that effect — a reporting proportion, not an incidence rate and not evidence the drug caused it. Wording is matched across sources by our own clinical vocabulary, so treat this as a prompt to pay attention, not a diagnosis.

Special populations

Vitamin B12 in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Pregnancy Likely Safe

When used orally in amounts that do not exceed the recommended dietary allowance (RDA). The RDA for vitamin B12 during pregnancy is 2.6 mcg daily. There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of larger amounts of vitamin B12 during pregnancy.

Lactation Likely Safe

When used orally in amounts that do not exceed the recommended dietary allowance (RDA). The RDA of vitamin B12 during lactation is 2.8 mcg daily. There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of larger amounts of vitamin B12 while breastfeeding.

DISCLAIMER: This tool is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as specific medical advice. Patients should consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about therapies and/or health conditions.© 2026 Therapeutic Research Center

Worth knowing

No Interaction — But Esomeprazole May Lower Your Vitamin B12 Levels

These two do not interact. The relationship runs the other way: the licensed record lists Esomeprazole as associated with lower Vitamin B12 levels — rated “Moderate Depletion”.

PPIs might reduce the absorption of vitamin B12, particularly with prolonged use. The reduced secretion of gastric acid and pepsin produced by PPIs can reduce absorption of protein-bound (dietary), but not supplemental, vitamin B12. This is because gastric acid is needed to release vitamin B12 from protein for absorption. Reduced vitamin B12 levels may be more common with PPIs than with H2-blockers, because they are more likely to produce achlorhydria. However, PPI therapy is unlikely to cause clinically significant vitamin B12 deficiency. Some evidence suggests that vitamin B12 deficiency is more likely in the case of prolonged PPI therapy (2 years or more) or insufficient dietary vitamin B12 intake. The odds of developing vitamin B12 deficiency are 65% higher in individuals taking PPIs for 2 years or more when compared with non-users. Also, vitamin B12 deficiency is more likely with prolonged, high-dose PPI therapy than with prolonged, low-dose therapy. Vitamin B12 deficiency is expected to diminish upon discontinuation of PPI therapy. The American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) does not recommend increased intake of vitamin B12 or routine monitoring of serum vitamin B12 levels for patients who are taking PPIs and have no other risk factors for vitamin B12 deficiency. For information on foods that are rich in vitamin B12, see our chart.

VITAMIN B12 — Moderate Depletion

See every medication linked to lower Vitamin B12 levels · See the full Esomeprazole nutrient report

Disclaimer: This checker finds which nutrients might be depleted by prescription or over-the-counter medications. Each nutrient depletion issue is rated based on clinical significance. Use your own professional judgment prior to making clinical decisions.© 2026 Therapeutic Research Center

How to take them

Some Esomeprazole Products Have a Food Rule — Vitamin B12 Should Not Break It

At least one FDA label for a product containing Esomeprazole says to take it on an empty stomach. Most supplements — Vitamin B12 included — are taken with a meal, so the easy mistake is swallowing both together at breakfast. Where that rule applies, keep Esomeprazole on its own and move Vitamin B12 to a meal later in the day.

This may not be true of your version. Food instructions belong to the product, not the ingredient: two Esomeprazole products can carry different directions, and extended-release forms often differ from immediate-release ones. The label we read is quoted below — check the directions on your own box or bottle, or ask your pharmacist, for how to take the exact product you were given.

Table 2: Recommended Dosage of Esomeprazole Magnesium Delayed-Release Capsules in Pediatric Patients by Indication Indication Patient Age Recommended Dosage Duration Healing of EE 12 years to 17 years Esomeprazole magnesium delayed-release capsules: 20 mg or 40 mg once daily 4 to 8 Weeks Treatment of Symptomatic GERD 12 years to 17 years Esomeprazole magnesium delayed-release capsules: 20 mg once

From the Dosage and Administration section of the FDA label we read for Esomeprazole — where that label names a specific product, the instruction is that product's. Read the label on DailyMed ›

A food rule is not an interaction — it is about how much of the medicine you absorb. The directions that came with your own product, and your pharmacist, outrank anything on this page.

From our Q&A

Questions About Vitamin B12 or Esomeprazole

These are real questions from readers, answered by the pharmacists at HelloPharmacist — written by a person, not generated from a database. Each one covers Vitamin B12 or Esomeprazole, not necessarily both, but if one is close to what you were about to ask it will usually go further than a database entry can:

Not quite your question? Ask our pharmacists directly — it is free, there is no account required, and answers usually come back within 24 hours.

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Esomeprazole

This page covers Vitamin B12 only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Esomeprazole page lists 154 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), Grapefruit (major), St. John's Wort (major), Acacia Rigidula (moderate) and Adrafinil (moderate).

By severity: 3 major · 102 moderate · 49 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Esomeprazole page

“St. John's wort can lower the amount of esomeprazole (Nexium) in your blood by speeding up how the liver clears it, which can leave heartburn or ulcer treatment falling short.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Esomeprazole interaction page

One more smart check

Taking Vitamin B12 as Part of a Dietary Supplement Product? Check It for Interactions

We hold 26,496 real supplement products containing Vitamin B12, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Vitamin B12. Even though Vitamin B12 itself has no known interaction with Esomeprazole, another ingredient on your label might. Find your product and we’ll check every ingredient on its label:

How much people look this up

Where Vitamin B12 and Esomeprazole Sit Against Everything Else

Out of every supplement and medication people look up on HelloPharmacist, here is where these two land this week — and which way each has been moving.

Supplement Vitamin B12
Top 10

#7 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today
Medication Esomeprazole
Top 25%

#450 of 2,830 medications looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today

Position among everything looked up on this site, not a measure of how commonly either one is used or how important it is. A supplement can climb this list because of a news story. It counts every request to the page, automated ones included, and nothing here identifies anyone.

Where does our data come from?
  • Source: the Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) clinical database — the evidence-graded professional reference for herb & supplement interactions.
  • Citation library: 103,510 references behind our interaction content, 65,311 of them resolved to verified PubMed/DOI sources. See every Vitamin B12 reference on this page ↓
  • Freshness: we automatically re-check this combination every week — this pair was last verified September 13, 2026. The Vitamin B12 and Esomeprazole records this page draws on were last updated July 11, 2026.
  • What “no known interaction” means: no documented interaction in the sources above — not a guarantee of safety. Supplements are studied far less than prescription drugs, so we say exactly what the evidence supports, and nothing more.
Data structure & sourcing designed and verified by .
Supplement

About Vitamin B12

What is Vitamin B12?

Vitamin B12
  • Treating or preventing B12 deficiency
  • Pernicious anemia
  • Low energy and fatigue
  • Nerve health and tingling/numbness
  • Support for vegetarians and vegans

Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is an essential nutrient your body needs to make red blood cells, keep nerves healthy, and support DNA. Supplements are very helpful for people who are deficient — such as vegans, older adults, and those with absorption problems — but taking extra B12 when you are not deficient is unlikely to boost energy or health. Talk to your pharmacist or doctor if you think you may be low.

Not applicable (a vitamin, not a plant part) · Tablets, capsules, sublingual (under-the-tongue) tablets, lozenges, liquid drops, nasal spray, and injections

An interaction check asks whether these two react with each other — it does not ask whether Vitamin B12 is a good idea for someone in your situation. Here is what our Vitamin B12 record says about it on its own.

Vitamin B12: dosing

The right amount of B12 depends on your age, diet, health, and whether you are deficient. Many daily supplements and multivitamins contain amounts well above the basic daily requirement, which is safe because excess is removed by the body.People who are deficient or who absorb B12 poorly sometimes need much higher doses or injections, which should be guided by a healthcare provider.

From our Vitamin B12 monograph — the full record covers uses, side effects and every documented interaction.

Read the full Vitamin B12 monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Esomeprazole

What Is Esomeprazole Used For?

Brand name: Nexium

Esomeprazole treats problems caused by excess stomach acid. It's used to heal erosive esophagitis (damage to the esophagus from acid), control GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) symptoms like heartburn, and protect the stomach lining in people at risk for ulcers caused by NSAIDs (anti-inflammatory pain relievers like ibuprofen).

It's also used as part of a three-drug combination to wipe out H. pylori — a stomach bacteria linked to ulcers — and for people with rare conditions that cause the stomach to overproduce acid, such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.

Most-Reported Side Effects for Esomeprazole

From FAERS, the FDA’s public side-effect reporting system (235,235 reports, all brands). Reports are voluntary and are not proof the drug caused the effect.

Chronic kidney disease 35,589 reports
Acute kidney injury 20,510 reports
Renal failure 16,295 reports
Nausea 13,667 reports
Gastrooesophageal reflux disease 12,006 reports
See full Esomeprazole drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Vitamin B12

Browse every other medication we’ve checked against Vitamin B12 — both the ones with a known interaction and the ones without. Select any drug for the full detail.

0Major
0Moderate
20Minor
2,809No known interaction
Minor

20 interactions

No interaction 2,809 drugs checked — show the list
Evidence & sources

Vitamin B12 References

The 30 references that drive our Vitamin B12 monograph and interaction data, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Citations with a link open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

  1. Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of Medicine. Dietary Reference Intakes for Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Vitamin B12, Pantothenic Acid, Biotin, and Choline (2000). Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 2000. Available at: http://b
  2. Hartman TJ, Woodson K, Stolzenberg-Solomon R, et al. Association of the B-vitamins pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (B6), B12, and folate with lung cancer risk in older men. Am J Epidemiol 2001;153:688-94.. DOI
  3. Jansen T, Romiti R, Kreuter A, Altmeyer P. Rosacea fulminans triggered by high-dose vitamins B6 and B12. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2001;15:484-5..
  4. Lange H, Suryapranata H, De Luca G, et al. Folate therapy and in-stent restenosis after coronary stenting. N Engl J Med 2004;350:2673-81. PubMed
  5. Collin, S. M., Metcalfe, C., Refsum, H., Lewis, S. J., Zuccolo, L., Smith, G. D., Chen, L., Harris, R., Davis, M., Marsden, G., Johnston, C., Lane, J. A., Ebbing, M., Bonaa, K. H., Nygard, O., Ueland, P. M., Grau, M. V., Baron, J. A., Donovan, J. L., Nea
  6. Geissbuhler, P., Mermillod, B., and Rapin, C. H. Elevated serum vitamin B12 levels associated with CRP as a predictive factor of mortality in palliative care cancer patients: a prospective study over five years. J.Pain Symptom.Manage. 2000;20(2):93-103. PubMed
  7. Salles, N., Herrmann, F., Sakbani, K., Rapin, C. H., and Sieber, C. High vitamin B12 level: a strong predictor of mortality in elderly inpatients. J Am Geriatr.Soc 2005;53(5):917-918.
  8. Looker, H. C., Fagot-Campagna, A., Gunter, E. W., Pfeiffer, C. M., Sievers, M. L., Bennett, P. H., Nelson, R. G., Hanson, R. L., and Knowler, W. C. Homocysteine and vitamin B(12) concentrations and mortality rates in type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Metab Res R
  9. Uhl, W., Nolting, A., Golor, G., Rost, K. L., and Kovar, A. Safety of hydroxocobalamin in healthy volunteers in a randomized, placebo-controlled study. Clin Toxicol (Phila) 2006;44 Suppl 1:17-28. PubMed
  10. Borron, S. W., Baud, F. J., Barriot, P., Imbert, M., and Bismuth, C. Prospective study of hydroxocobalamin for acute cyanide poisoning in smoke inhalation. Ann Emerg.Med 2007;49(6):794-801, 801. PubMed
  11. Borron, S. W., Baud, F. J., Megarbane, B., and Bismuth, C. Hydroxocobalamin for severe acute cyanide poisoning by ingestion or inhalation. Am J Emerg.Med 2007;25(5):551-558. PubMed
  12. Lewis, J. G. Gout, Steatorrhoea, and Megaloblastic Anaemia. Ann Rheum.Dis 1962;21(3):284-286. PubMed
  13. Tal, S., Shavit, Y., Stern, F., and Malnick, S. Association between vitamin B12 levels and mortality in hospitalized older adults. J Am Geriatr.Soc 2010;58(3):523-526. PubMed
  14. Baztan, J. J., Gavidia, J. J., Gomez-Pavon, J., Esteve, A., and Ruiperez, I. High vitamin B12 levels and in-hospital mortality. J Am Geriatr.Soc 2010;58(11):2237-2238. PubMed
  15. Omboni, E., Checchini, M., and Longoni, F. [Hypopotassemia and megaloblastic anemia. Presentation of a case]. Minerva Med 8-31-1987;78(16):1255-1257.

Medication overviews come from MedlinePlus (NIH); supplement label data from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists — see our data sources and editorial standards.

Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Vitamin B12 and Esomeprazole Together: Common Questions

Is it safe to take Vitamin B12 with Esomeprazole?
We do not list a known interaction between Vitamin B12 and Esomeprazole. That does not guarantee the combination is risk-free, so confirm with your pharmacist or doctor — especially if you take other medications or have a health condition.
Do Vitamin B12 and Esomeprazole have any of the same side effects?
Yes — our sources link each of them separately to 10 of the same effects. That is not an interaction: neither changes how your body handles the other. It does mean that if one of those effects turns up, it can be harder to tell which one is behind it. They are listed on this page with the source behind each.
Should I take Vitamin B12 and Esomeprazole at the same time of day?
At least one FDA label for a product containing Esomeprazole says to take it on an empty stomach, and supplements are usually taken with a meal — so taking them together at breakfast is the easy mistake. Where that applies, keep Esomeprazole on its own and move Vitamin B12 to a meal later in the day. Food instructions belong to the product rather than the ingredient, so check the directions on your own box. This is about absorption, not an interaction.
Can Esomeprazole lower my Vitamin B12 levels?
Natural Medicines records Esomeprazole as a medicine that can deplete Vitamin B12. That is the opposite direction to an interaction — it is a reason some people are told to take a supplement, not a reason to avoid one. Do not start one on the strength of this page; ask your pharmacist or doctor whether it applies to you.
How was the Vitamin B12 and Esomeprazole combination checked?
Interactions in our licensed database are recorded against drug classes. Esomeprazole is filed under 6 classifications, and Vitamin B12 has documented interactions with 1 drug class — none of Esomeprazole's classifications are among them. A medication can belong to classes beyond those recorded in our dataset, so this describes how the check was run rather than guaranteeing safety.
Does Vitamin B12 interact with any other medications?
Yes. Vitamin B12 has 20 documented drug interactions in our database — Esomeprazole is simply not one of them. If you take anything else, it is worth checking each one; they are all listed on this page.
Does Esomeprazole interact with any supplements?
Yes. Esomeprazole has documented interactions with 154 supplements in our database — Vitamin B12 is not one of them. The Esomeprazole interaction page linked on this page lists every one, ranked by severity.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Still Have a Question About Esomeprazole and Vitamin B12?

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This information is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or combining supplements and medications.