Drug interactions
Ibuprofen / famotidine + Vitamin B12
Severity: Minor
Ibuprofen / famotidine and Vitamin B12: minor interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Famotidine, an H2 receptor antagonist, reduces gastric acid and may lower absorption of food-bound vitamin B12 with long-term use. Crystalline oral B12 supplements are less affected. The clinical effect is generally small.
What this interaction means in plain words
Ibuprofen / famotidine and Vitamin B12 have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised.
Why it happens
Reduced gastric acid secretion impairs release of protein-bound B12 for absorption.
What to do
Check B12 status periodically in long-term users, especially older adults or those on prolonged therapy. Supplement with oral crystalline B12 if levels fall.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there anything I should notice while taking both?
- Do I need to tell my doctor at the next visit?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Ibuprofen / famotidine and Vitamin B12, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 14 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Vitamin B12
- Chloramphenicol + Vitamin B12 Moderate
- Dichlorphenamide + Vitamin B12 Moderate
- Metformin + Vitamin B12 Moderate
- Neomycin po + Vitamin B12 Moderate
- Aspirin / citric acid / sodium bicarbonate + Vitamin B12 Minor
- Aspirin + Vitamin B12 Minor
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Ibuprofen / famotidine with Vitamin B12?
MediHelp rates the interaction as minor. Ibuprofen / famotidine and Vitamin B12 have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised. Famotidine, an H2 receptor antagonist, reduces gastric acid and may lower absorption of food-bound vitamin B12 with long-term use. Crystalline oral B12 supplements are less affected. The clinical effect is generally small.
How serious is the interaction between Ibuprofen / famotidine and Vitamin B12?
MediHelp rates it minor, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Check B12 status periodically in long-term users, especially older adults or those on prolonged therapy. Supplement with oral crystalline B12 if levels fall.
What other medicines interact with Vitamin B12?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Vitamin B12 with, for example, Chloramphenicol, Dichlorphenamide, Metformin. The full list is on the Vitamin B12 page.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
