Prolonged use of a proton pump inhibitor can lead to low levels of folic acid.
Proton pump inhibitors suppress stomach acid production which can lead to insufficient digestion of food and decreased absorption of nutrients such as folic acid. Low levels of folic acid can lead to anemia, which can have impacts on the patient's overall health and wellbeing. Other options of magnesium, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 may also be impacted by prolonged use of proton pump inhibitors, but not as significantly as folic acid.