Expert warning over common over-the-counter pill that could trigger deadly Victorian disease
Millions could be at risk of the Victorian disease scurvy because they take popular over-the-counter drugs to treat common conditions like arthritis and acid reflux, a leading pharmacist has warned.
The condition, a severe vitamin C deficiency, is traditionally associated with sailors — who, in the 1800s, developed the condition due to a lack of nutrients while out at sea.
However recent data shows the disease, which can be life-threatening, is seeing a resurgence in the UK, with cases rising 25 per cent since 2007 due to poor diets.
According to pharmacist Peter Thnoia, from the NHS ' pharmacy service PillTime, it's not just malnutrition that is behind this rise.
'Many patients are unknowingly at risk of nutrient deficiencies because of the medications they rely on daily', he warned.
'Prolonged vitamin C deficiency can lead to scurvy, a condition we often associate with history, but which can still occur today when diets are lacking, or medication interactions go unnoticed', he added.
This is because certain drugs, including popular painkiller ibuprofen, can make it harder for the body to absorb vitamin C.
Ibuprofen is within a family of drugs known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAID), which also includes aspirin and naproxen, and are widely used to relieve pain, reduce inflammation.
NSAIDs are widely prescribed for those with inflammatory conditions like arthritis, as well as available in lower doses over-the-counter for pain relief.
But Mr Thnoia warned: 'It's important to be aware that NSAIDs can influence your body's vitamin C levels.
'With long term use, these drugs may increase the amount of vitamin C in your urine, potentially lowering its concentration in the body over time.
'This is especially worth noting for individuals who rely heavily on NSAIDs to manage chronic conditions such as arthritis or persistent pain.'
It is estimated that more than 10 million people in the UK suffer from chronic pain, of which the most common cause is the joint condition arthritis.
'Over time, insufficient vitamin C can lead to fatigue, poor wound healing, weakened immunity, and even joint pain, as the body struggles to maintain healthy collagen production', Mr Thonia added.
In severe cases, scurvy can lead to hard-to-treat infections that can lead to lethal sepsis.
Those who take popular acid reflux drugs could also be putting themselves at higher risk of the painful Victorian disease, the pharmacist warned.
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are among the most widely used medications in the world, with 73 million NHS prescriptions dispensed in England in 2022-23.
Also available over-the-counter, they reduce the amount of acid in the stomach, limiting the distressing symptoms of heartburn - including pain and difficulty swallowing.
But these drugs also lower the concentration of vitamin C in the stomach.
'These medications work by blocking the proton pumps in the stomach lining, which significantly reduces acid production,' said Mr Thnoia.
'But they also reduce the concentration of vitamin C in stomach juices, where it's normally produced. Over time, this can interfere with absorption of the vitamin, which could potentially lead to deficiencies - especially for long-term users.'
In the UK around 1 in 5 adults experience severe acid reflux.
However, GPs have long warned that while pills like omeprazole and lansoprazole can beat heartburn symptoms, they should be used for only a month or two.
'If you're taking PPIs regularly, it's wise to consider how they might be affecting your broader health picture,' Mr Thnoid said.
'Vitamin C is an essential component of a healthy diet and lifestyle, so consider supplements if your prescribed medication has a risk of interacting with your vitamin levels.'
Another class of drugs that has been linked with the group of Victorian diseases - including scurvy, shingles and even rickets - are sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2 inhibitors), which are widely used to treat diabetes.
The tablets help the kidneys remove excess glucose or sugar, which is passed through urine.
'Of course, this doesn't mean patients should stop taking their medications,' Mr Thnoid said.
'But it does mean that there needs to be more education about the impact certain medications have on your body's ability to absorb nutrients when taken long term.'
The warning comes as former Take That band member Robbie Williams revealed that he was diagnosed with scurvy after he stopped eating while taking an appetite-suppressant drug.
'I'd stopped eating and I wasn't getting nutrients,' the Rock DJ singer, 51, said, explaining he was undernourished and lacking in vitamin C.
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