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Can Lansoprazole Cause Weakness In Arms And Legs?
Question: Hello,
I have had a general weakness in my arms and legs since being diagnosed with silent reflux..changing my diet, limiting caffeine and taking the following meds.teva-lansoprazole, apo-amoxi Clav 500mg & 125 mg. Is there any neurological condition that I should be worried about, or could this be a side effect of caffeine or the other meds I am now taking? Thank you,
XXXXXXX
I have had a general weakness in my arms and legs since being diagnosed with silent reflux..changing my diet, limiting caffeine and taking the following meds.teva-lansoprazole, apo-amoxi Clav 500mg & 125 mg. Is there any neurological condition that I should be worried about, or could this be a side effect of caffeine or the other meds I am now taking? Thank you,
XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
What is described as generalized weakness should be distinguished whether it is true weakness or fatigue. True weakness leads to impairment of daily functions like climbing stairs, walking, specific tasks involving certain muscles like brushing hair or teeth, swallowing, speaking etc. It is often the case that fatigue results to be the more correct description.
Given your recent history of the appearance of the issue after changing your diet and reducing the quantity of caffeine I believe that to be the most probable cause. Caffeine is a stimulant so if your body was used to it it will need some time to adapt, diet change is added to that as well.
As for the medication, lansoprazole and amoxiclav, while every drug has a potential for side effects, muscle or peripheral nerve damage is not a common side effects of these two drugs, so I think it unlikely for them to be related.
If the symptoms persist even after a few weeks, or if they seem to be progressing, then perhaps a physical exam is necessary to check for true muscle weakness associated to neurological conditions like myasthenia gravis, polyneuropathy etc, with the appropriate tests if other signs are found, but I don't think them likely for the moment. Of course there are also non neurological causes of weakness like anemia, thyroid dysfunction, electrolyte abnormalities, liver or kidney dysfunction, nutritional deficiencies, detectable through routine blood tests.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
What is described as generalized weakness should be distinguished whether it is true weakness or fatigue. True weakness leads to impairment of daily functions like climbing stairs, walking, specific tasks involving certain muscles like brushing hair or teeth, swallowing, speaking etc. It is often the case that fatigue results to be the more correct description.
Given your recent history of the appearance of the issue after changing your diet and reducing the quantity of caffeine I believe that to be the most probable cause. Caffeine is a stimulant so if your body was used to it it will need some time to adapt, diet change is added to that as well.
As for the medication, lansoprazole and amoxiclav, while every drug has a potential for side effects, muscle or peripheral nerve damage is not a common side effects of these two drugs, so I think it unlikely for them to be related.
If the symptoms persist even after a few weeks, or if they seem to be progressing, then perhaps a physical exam is necessary to check for true muscle weakness associated to neurological conditions like myasthenia gravis, polyneuropathy etc, with the appropriate tests if other signs are found, but I don't think them likely for the moment. Of course there are also non neurological causes of weakness like anemia, thyroid dysfunction, electrolyte abnormalities, liver or kidney dysfunction, nutritional deficiencies, detectable through routine blood tests.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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