Drug Induced Nutrient Depletion

Drug Induced Nutrient Depletion: How Medications Deplete Your Nutrients?

Anti-Inflammatory and Other Drugs

Some prescription drugs deplete critical nutrients from the body. Use this guide to see if your medications are depleting critical nutrients. Check with your Doctor or Pharmacist to see if you should be supplementing these nutrients to avoid the potential side-effects of prescription drug induced nutrient depletion.

Medication

Nutrients Depleted

Other Considerations
Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
Corticosteroids
Cortisone, Decadron, Flonase, Nasalide, Prednisone		Calcium, DHEA, Magnesium, Melatonin, Phosphorus, Potassium, Vitamins B6, C, D, Zinc
  • N-acetyl Cysteine (NAC) supplementation may be beneficial with prednisone.
Sulfonamides
Azulfidine, Sulfasalazine		Folic Acid
  • Iron supplementation can decrease absorption; iron should be taken at least 2 hours prior
  • PABA may interfere with this drug's activity.
Salicylates
Anacin, Aspirin, Bayer, Tricosal, Salflex		Folic Acid, Iron, Potassium, Sodium
  • Side effects of regular aspirin use outweigh benefits in elderly
NSAIDs
Celebrex, Ibuprofen, Aleve, Advil, Motrin IB		Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron Phosphate
  • Can cause stomach irritation when combined with iron.
  • May cause elevated blood potassium levels in people with abnormal kidney function.
  • May increase blood potassium levels.
Anti-Asthmatic Drugs
Albuterol, Flovent, NasonexCalcium, DHEA, Magnesium, Melatonin, Phosphorus, Potassium, Vitamins B6, C, D, K, Zinc
Diabetes Drugs
Sulfonylureas
Dymelor, Micronase, Glucotrol, Amaryl		CoQ10, NADH
  • Aloe vera juice may improve insulin and lipid levels.
  • 850 mg magnesium hydroxide increases Glucotrol absorption and activity, which could be either helpful or harmful; avoid supplementation without physicians supervision.
Biguanides
Glucophage		Vitamin B12
  • May decrease magnesium excretion.
  • Guar Gum slows the absorption rate of metformin.
Antibiotics
Amoxicillin, Cipro, Doxycycline, Trimethoprim /Sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMZ)Biotin, Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, K, Probiotics
Psychotherapeutic Drugs
Butyrophenones
Haldol		CoQ10, Iron
  • May increase serum potassium levels.
  • May cause liver damage; milk thistle supplementation shown to be helpful.
SSRIs
Desyrel, Luvox, Paxil, Prozac, Zoloft		Sodium
  • Low levels of folic acid create a poor response to the drug.
  • 5-HTP and L-tryptophan should be avoided.
Tricyclic Antidepressants
Elavil, Norpramin, Pamelor, Adapin, Sinequan, Tofranil		CoQ10, Vitamin B2
Valproic Acid Derivatives
Depakote		Carnitine, Copper
Digestive Aids
Laxatives
Agoral Plain, Bisco-Lax, Dulcolax		Beta-carotene, Vitamins A, D, E, K, Calcium, Phosphorus, Potassium
Antacids
Gaviscon, Maalox, Mylanta, Nephrox, Phillips Milk of Magnesia, Tums		Calcium, Iron, Phosphorus, Potassium
  • May increase aluminum levels when combined with calcium citrate.
  • Aluminum supplements may interfere with folic acid and copper absorption.
  • People taking diuretics, digoxin, or digitalis may experience a fall in serum potassium levels if they take magnesium without additional potassium.
Proton Pump Inhibitors
Prevacid, Prilosec		Vitamin B12
  • Possible interference with beta-carotene absorption.
Histamine H2 Blockers
Axid, Pepcid, Ranitidine, Tagamet, Zantac		Calcium, Copper, Folic Acid, Iron, Vitamins B12, D, Zinc
Other Drugs
A-II Receptor Blockers
Cozaar		Calcium, Chloride, Magnesium, Potassium, Sodium, Phosphorus
Bisphosphonates
Fosamax
  • May interfere with calcium and magnesium absorption.
  • Supplements should be taken 2 hours before or after medication.
Glycosides
Digoxin, Lanoxin		Vitamin B1, K, Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium
  • Hawthorn herb should be avoided.
  • Possible harmful interaction with St. John's Wort and licorice herbs.
  • Magnesium should be taken 1 hour before or 4-6 hours after taking this medication.
Thyroid Hormones
Levoxyl		Calcium
Vasodilators
Hydralazine		CoQ10, B6

Cardiovascular Drugs

Some prescription drugs deplete critical nutrients from the body. Use this guide to see if your medications are depleting critical nutrients. Check with your Doctor or Pharmacist to see if you should be supplementing these nutrients to avoid the potential side-effects of pharmaceutical drug induced nutrient depletion.

Medication

Nutrients Depleted

Other Considerations
Cholesterol Lowering Drugs
Statins
Lipitor, Pravachol, Zocor, Mevacor, Lescol		CoQ10, Vitamin E
  • Possible harmful interactions with high levels of vitamin B3
Bile Inhibitors
Colestid, Prevalite, Questran		Vitamins A, B12, D, E, K, Beta-carotene, Calcium, Magnesium, Iron, Zinc, Folic Acid
  • Vitamin supplements should be taken one hour before or 4-6 hours after taking this medication for optimal absorption.

Blood Pressure Drugs
ACE Inhibitors
Prinivil, Zestril, Basotec, Captopril, Lotensin		Zinc
  • May increase potassium levels in the body.
  • Possible harmful interactions with arginine.
  • Iron and magnesium should be taken 1 hour before or 4-6 hours after taking this medication.
Beta Blockers
Inderal, Lopressor, Toprol XL, Tenormin, Visken, Sectral, Betoptic, Cartrol, Zebeta
CoQ10
Calcium Channel Blockers
Cardizem, Norvasc, Procardia
  • Vitamin D may interfere with drug activity, so take 1 hour before or 4-6 hours after taking medication.
Loop Diuretics
Demadex, Edecrin, Furosemide, Lasix		Vitamins B1 & B6, Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Zinc
  • Depletes potassium, so potassium levels should be monitored by the physician.
  • Possible dangerous interactions with herb licorice.
  • should avoid diuretic herbs which potentiate these drugs.
Potassium Sparing Diuretics
Aldactone, Dyrenium, Midamor, Triamterene		Folic Acid, Calcium
  • Possible harmful interaction with arginine
  • May cause body to retain magnesium so correct potassium to magnesium ratios must be taken.
  • Reduces zinc excretion from body so you must take correct amount of copper to offset.
Thiazide Diuretics
Diuril, Enduron, Microzide, Thalitone Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ)		CoQ10, Magnesium, Potassium, Zinc
  • Possible harmful interaction with herb licorice.
  • May decrease calcium excretion.
Blood Thinners
Coumadin, Warfarin, Heparin, Lovenox
  • Vitamin K, green tea, and ginseng decrease effectiveness.
  • Garlic, ginkgo biloba, and devil's claw may increase blood thinning.
  • Excessive amounts of vitamin C (over 500 mg daily) can decrease effectiveness of Coumadin.