I don’t understand why Lansoprazole affects bones. I thought it was just a gastro-resistant capsule to prevent stomach problems when taking Naproxen?
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Hi Deidre,
I’m not sure how it affects bone I did read about it affecting the calcium reaching bone, but can’t find that article. However, this is from the NHS website:
“Taking lansoprazole for more than 1 year may increase your chances of certain side effects, including: … bone fractures…”
This is from NICE: “Can increase the risk of fractures (particularly when used at high doses for over a year in the elderly)…”
There are also mentions on the (National Osteoporosis Guideline Group), NOGG-UK and the government website.
I decided to give up Lansoprazole and manage reflux in other ways rather than risk further damage. I told my GP my plan and he had no problem with that.
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Good evening, thanks for the info. I did have a GP appointment this afternoon to discuss having a bone scan and he explained about the issue with the lansoprazole. It seems that it limits the uptake of magnesium which is important for bone strength so that all makes sense now. I won’t take it anymore and stick to paracetamol and gels for my aches and pains. Hope this is helpful to other people. I have to wait up to 36 weeks for the bone scan! The GP had given me a prescription for calcium and vitamin D in the meantime. He was very positive that if I require medication once I eventually get the scan that it will work and should be accepted. Take care, Deirdre
Hi Deirdre,
I take aloe Vera juice with digestive enzymes from Holland and Barrett which I find is as good as meds and I think there’s been research carried out to support that.
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Hi, I am 57 soon and was diagnosed in October 2025 after an MRI showed 2 spinal fractures. Since then I have suffered further thoracic fractures and live 24/7 in pain. The outlook feels pretty glum. I can’t even get around Tesco without being in pain. I ask myself why this at such a young age. I don’t think I can cope with this for the rest of my life. I can’t contemplate any form of exercise until I’ve been on the bone building drug for a while. It sounds to me like a lot of people are suffering with this. One in 2 women will get osteoporosis they say. Well done to The ROS for the work they do raising awareness.
So sorry to hear of your fractures and pain Zoe. Hopefully, the meds will soon improve things for you and you’ll feel less despondent about the future. As you say, the ROS is a great resource and this forum, I think, will be very useful.
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Dear Zoe, I’m so sorry to hear you are in such a lot of pain and are feeling so fearful for the future. Just wondering whether you have been referred to a chronic pain management clinic or support group if there is one in your area? Might be worth asking your GP if this is a possibility.
I’ve also found the book ‘The Pain Relief secret’ by Sarah Warren, very helpful. It is not specifically aimed at osteoporosis sufferers but explains how gentle somatic exercises can be a useful tool in pain relief and management. If you feel understandably hesitant about more vigorous exercise at the moment, this may be an option for you, although obviously you may need to take some medical advice before starting any new regime.
I wish you well and hope you can get the support you need to help you both physically and emotionally. Sending you a big empathetic hug x
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I think its because long-term suppression of stomach acid reduces the absorption of calcium etc.
Hi all. Proton pump inhibitors like lansoprazole work by reducing stomach acid secretionod. An unfortunate side effect of this is recuded absoption of minerals such as calcium and magnesium which is not ideal if you have osteoporosis. Good shout on natural alternatives such as aloe vera. Digestive herbal teas containing demulcent herbs such as liquorice, marshmallow and chamomile can really help with reflux too.
Don’t give up Zoe. Speaking from thoracic fracture experience the pain is horrific but does gradually ease and once you’re healing and stable on bone building meds life will open up again.
I have just signed on today as my recent diagnosis is such a shock. Lansoprazole put me in hospital 14 months ago leading to a coeliac diagnosis followed by a broken wrist and a very recent Dexxa scan. I have also taken steroids during the last 3 years. I have just sorted out dental issues which need to heal before alendronic acid is prescribed. So much information in this post.
Hello High1036,
An osteoporosis diagnosis can indeed be a great shock. You suddenly feel very fragile and not a little scared. You do start to feel more at ease as you learn more about the condition and the treatments available. This forum is really good in that you realise you’re not alone and there’s some really good advice and support.
Wishing you well.
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Thank you for your reply it’s much appreciated. I’m fortunate to have a fairly young GP looking after me who is aware of how stressed I have been with the coeliac and osteoporosis diagnoses unlike one of his more senior colleagues. The only person I knew with osteoporosis was my old neighbour a keen gardener who broke her wrist pruning her beloved roses. I have a lot to learn.
I am 68 years old, It’s amazing to hear about the lack of support from GP and the professional health care. I was diagnosed with osteoporosis Jan 2025, I thought I pulled a muscle from doing exercises, I was very active back then, I visited my GP they confirmed it was a muscular issue nothing to worry about, I was in a lot of pain, I had a feeling its something more serious, after 4 weeks I asked the doctors to send me for X-ray but they said muscular pain can take up to 12 weeks, I felt so alone and helpless, I have never experienced pain like it, I had to take matters in my own hands so I had private MRI which showed I had 3 spinal compression fractures due to osteoporosis lost 2 inches from my hight. I had no medical advise from my GP how to manage my condition, I was prescribed painkiller Cocadamol which made me feel sick I lost my appetite felt so week, I started to research my condition then I came across ROS, it was a life saver, I join straight away and had 2 hours conversation with ROS nurse she was amazing and so understanding and reassuring after the call I felt full of life, finally there is a light at the end of the tunnel, I am now heading in the right direction. Finally I have appointment with the rheumatology in June to review my medication I am on Alendronic acid was on it for 7 months, October 2025 I had two further spinal fractures, thanks to ROS I knew what i had to do and how to manage it, I exercises three timesa week now doing ROS exercises and I walk half and hour every day. Thank you Denise for sharing your experiences.
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I have to take lansoprazole due to my shunt from my 
bleed, I didn’t know it was bad for bones , my rheumatologist said nothing about it ehen I saw him!
It sounds as though you might have a greater need than I did.
I queried my use of it with the GP, asking whether that use was undoing the good work of strength training. She replied “it’s all a balance”, which was useless advice - as my Dexa results proved. I understand Lansoprazole affects the absorption of calcium, particularly at higher doses and long term use. I’d been taking a low dose, 15mg prescribed for once per day, for at least five years. I’d been weaning myself off it for the final year as I was uncomfortable with the possible effects on bone. I’d never had any previous reviews and whenever I questioned it was told “people are on this for years”.
At my GP appointment to discuss my OP, I told him I wasn’t going to take it any more and he was fine with that.
I take aloe Vera juice (Holland and Barrett) instead.
Regards.
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Doctor prescribed lansoprazole I take one tablet every other day to control reflux, I had 5 spinal compression feactures, I am going to stop taking lansoprazole I am so worried in getting another feactures, what are the options?
Hi there,
I talked to my doctor about stopping Lansoprazole and he was OK with that, but perhaps your doctor had a different view? It might be that my reflux isn’t as bad as yours??
I know my triggers - coffee, chocolate, cheese and wine, all my favourites, so I try to limit those. I also get reflex if I’m rushing about or getting impatient do, again, try to keep calm. Maybe as your GP can reassure you one way or the other re the Lansoprazole?
Good luck.
Thank for responding, will try to monitor my food as I also like chocolate, chees and wine will give it a go.
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I’m more or less in the same boat. I had a fall last September from a height of 90 cm and landed heavily on my left side but I ONLY broke my wrist so have exercised my wrist to the point I’m back in the kitchen. A Dexxa scan followed in December. It was a surprise to get the osteoporosis diagnosis but I have found there is a link between a Coeliac disease diagnosis last August and the steroids I also took when I first showed symptons of being coeliac. I am grateful that there is so much information online. At 75 last year was quite a challenge.Good luck to you GeordieMeg from a Dorset Margaret.
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This mirrors me too. It was omeprazole which put me in hospital followed by steroids and eventually a broken wrist leading to the Dexxa scan in December and the osteoporosis diagnosis. May I ask if the steroids made you put on weight. I am finding it difficult to lose the weight I gained. It was my second round and I hadn’t lost the weight from the first lot. Like you last year’s diagnosis was a complete shock. I am also pleased here is an excellent place to find the information and support we need.