Iron bisglycinate and Proton pump inhibitor: interaction, severity and spacing
Iron bisglycinate and Proton pump inhibitor interact because iron needs gastric acid to convert to its absorbable ferrous form; proton pump inhibitors reduce that conversion substantially. Take them with care. Moderate risk.
The interaction in detail
| Pair | Iron bisglycinate and Proton pump inhibitor |
|---|---|
| Type | Nutrient–drug interaction |
| Severity | Moderate |
| Required spacing | None specified |
| Onset | At the time of dosing |
Mechanism
Iron needs gastric acid to convert to its absorbable ferrous form; proton pump inhibitors reduce that conversion substantially.
What to do
Take iron with vitamin C to compensate, or discuss with your prescriber if ferritin is not responding.
How to fit both into one day
Non-heme iron absorbs best on an empty stomach with vitamin C. Coffee, tea and calcium can halve absorption, so keep them two hours away.
PPIs must be taken 30-60 minutes before the first meal to inhibit actively secreting proton pumps. Acid-dependent nutrients will absorb worse.
Putting Iron bisglycinate in the morning and Proton pump inhibitor in the morning satisfies the 0-hour separation without disrupting either one's absorption window.