Lansoprazole-induced hypomagnesaemia.

The introduction of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) in the late 1980s optimised the medical treatment of acid-related disorders. They are potent medications and have a good safety profile. However, long-term therapy with PPIs may carry undesired side effects, one of which is hypomagnesaemia. This entity is likely to be under-reported. We present a clinical case which illustrates this important clinical problem. We present the case of a 73-year-old woman who was admitted to the hospital with supraventricular tachycardia due to hypomagnesaemia while using lansoprazole, followed by the literature review on this subject. In our patient after the intravenous magnesium replenishment, her arrhythmia resolved. After stopping her PPI her serum magnesium remained within reference values without oral supplementation. We believe that more attention towards this underdiagnosed side effect is required. Serum magnesium concentration should be checked in patients on PPIs if they are unwell or present with arrythmia.