Drugs deplete critical 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 nutrient depletion.

Cardiovascular drug induced nutrient depletions are listed here.

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, Nasonex	Calcium, 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, Vitamin B6

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