Your Guide to Drug-Induced Nutrient Depletion
Photo by JOSHUA COLEMAN on Unsplash
By Kristen M. Leccese
All too often, our health issues require prescription or over-the-counter medications in order to resolve themselves. Certain drugs – including opiate painkillers, blood pressure medications, corticosteroids, antibiotics, tricyclic antidepressants, and even OTC drugs as innocent as aspirin and antacids – are all capable of causing severe nutrient depletions in our bodies. This absence of important nutrients like Folic Acid, Beta-Carotene, Potassium, and endless other naturally-occurring chemicals in our bodies can lead to unpleasant side effects and an overall imbalance in your system.
Whether you occasionally take a pharmaceutical like an antibiotic, or count on a drug long term such as a cholesterol health lowering statin, your need for specific nutrients increases. You must be aware that many prescriptions, as well as commonly used over-the-counter drugs, cause potentially serious nutrient depletions. For your convenience, we here at InVite® Health have devised a Drug-Induced Nutrient Depletion Chart with a list of drugs and non-prescription medications and the nutrients they deplete. This in turn will give you an idea of the nutrients your body needs, which can be found in our high-quality InVite® Health supplements.
Below, our handy Drug-Induced Nutrient Depletion chart lets you know exactly what nutrients your prescription or OTC medications are depleting:
PRESCRIPTION DRUG |
INDICATION FOR USAGE |
NUTRIENTS DEPLETED |
Opiatehydrocodone/acetaminophen |
Narcotic for pain relief | Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Iron, Potassium |
Statin DrugsLipitor, Crestor, Lescol, |
Lowering Cholesterol | Coenzyme Q10 |
ACE InhibitorLisinopril. Altace, Accupril, |
High Blood Pressure | Zinc |
Thiazide DiureticHydrochlorothiazide |
High Blood Pressure | Vitamin D, Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Zinc, Coenzyme Q10 |
Beta Blocking DrugsAtenolol, Corgard, Lopressor, Tenormin, Toprol XL, Metoprolol |
High Blood Pressure | Coenzyme Q10, Chromium, Melatonin |
Loop DiureticFurosemide,, Lasix, Ethacrynic acid, |
High Blood Pressure, Heart Failure | B1, B6, Vitamin C, Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Zinc |
Proton Pump inhibitorOmeprazole, Prilosec, Prevacid, |
GERD, severe gastric ulceration | Beta-carotene, B1, B12, Folic Acid, Calcium, Zinc |
BiguanideMetformin, Glucophage |
Diabetes, Pre-diabetes | Folic Acid, B12 |
BisphosphonateFosamax, Actonel, Boniva, |
Osteoporosis | Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorus |
CorticosteriodFlonase, Beclovent, Beconase, QVar, |
Asthma, Allergic Rhinitis | Beta-Carotene, B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Selenium, Zinc, Melatonin |
Fluoroquinolone AntibioticLevaquin, Avelox, Cipro, Floxin, Noroxin, |
Bacterial Infection | Biotin, B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, Zinc, Healthy intestinal bacteria |
Conjugated EstrogenPremarin Hormone replacement therapy, |
Hormone Replacement Therapy | B6, Vitamin D, Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc, Folic Acid, B12 |
Beta-2 Adrenergic Receptor Agonistalbuterol aerosol |
Asthma, COPD | Potassium, and possibly Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorus |
CorticosteroidPrednisone, Deltasone, Celestone, |
Severe Inflammation, Autoimmune Disease, Immune System Suppression |
Beta-Carotene, B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Selenium, Zinc |
Calcium Channel Blocking Drugs• amlodipine (Norvasc) |
High Blood Pressure | Vitamin D |
Sulfonylureaglyburide, glipizide, glimepiride, |
Diabetes | Coenzyme Q10 |
Cardiac GlycosideDigoxin, Digitek, Lanoxin, |
Heart Failure, Arrhythmias | Calcium Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, B1 |
Penicillin AntibioticAmoxicillin, Amoxil, Trimox, Penicillin |
Infection | Healthy Intestinal Bacteria, B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, Vitamin k, Folic Acid, Biotin, Inositol |
Macrolide AntibioticsErythromycin, Azithromycin, |
Infection | Healthy Intestinal Bacteria, B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, Vitamin k, Folic Acid, Biotin, Inositol |
Tricyclic Antidepressantsamitriptyline, clomipramine, |
Depression | Coenzyme Q10, B2, Sodium |
Potassium Sparing Diureticsamiloride, spironolactone, triamterene, |
Heart Failure, High Blood Pressure | Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorus Watch for a high Potassium level |
OTC (non-prescription medication) |
||
NSAIDIbuprofen, naproxen and other |
Inflammation, Pain | Folic Acid |
Aspirin |
Pain, Inflammation, Fever (adults) | Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Iron, Potassium, Zinc |
AcetaminophenTylenol |
Pain, Fever | Coenzyme Q10, Glutathione |
AntacidsAmphojel, Basaljel, |
Gastritis, GERD | Beta-Carotene, Folic Acid, Vitamin D, Calcium,Chromium, Iron, Zinc, Magnesium, Phosphorus |
Laxatives with BisacodylCarter’s Little Pills, Correctol, Dulcolax, |
Constipation | Calcium, Potassium |
H2 InhibitorsFamotidine, Pepcid, |
Ulcer, GERD | Folic Acid, B1, B12, Vitamin D, Calcium, Iron, Zinc |
Please note: Beta-Carotene represents Vitamin A depletion.
Related drugs are listed because in many cases there is a similar depletion profile.
* The statements herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
These products are not intended to treat, diagnose, cure, or prevent any diseases.
Our on-site Naturopathic Doctors at any InVite Health’s twelve retail locations can help out with any questions or concerns you may have about this information, as well as assist in choosing the correct supplement for you. Stop in for a free nutritional consultation, or email us at [email protected]. You can also click here to fill out our free nutritional consultation form online!
