Prescription Medication and Vitamin and Mineral Deficiency

Did you know that your prescription medication could be depleting important nutrients from your body? In fact, most prescription medication does deplete nutrients, and there are very few that do not. This month I am listing several commonly used prescription medications and the vitamins and minerals that they deplete. If you are using these prescription medications, consult with a physician about supplementing the vitamins and minerals that they deplete. If you can locate a physician that is skilled in the use of nutritional supplementation, you are likely to access high quality, potent and maximally absorbable vitamins and minerals. These physicians have access to physician-only supplements. The companies that make these supplements often voluntarily adhere to FDA standards of production, provide a more pure and potent supplement, and have certificates of analysis available to the doctors validating the exact contents of their products. Those sold over the counter at health food stores vary widely in quality, as there is currently no regulation of their production.

Aspirin depletes folic acid, iron, potassium, sodium and vitamin C. (Never take iron without confirming iron deficiency by laboratory testing.) Beta blockers deplete coenzyme Q10, an important nutrient for liver function, cardiovascular and oncological health. Amitriptyline (Elavil, Enovil) depletes coenzyme Q10 and vitamin B2. Carbamazepine (Tegratol) depletes biotin, folic acid and vitamin D. Celecoxib (Celebrex) depletes folic acid. Corticosteroids (cortisone, dexamethasone, hydrocortisone, prednisone) depletes calcium, folic acid, magnesium, potassium, selenium, vitamin C, vitamin D, and zinc. Digoxin (Lanoxin) depletes calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and vitamin B1. Estrogens (Estrace, Estratab, Estrostep, Menest, Premarin) deplete magnesium, omega 3 fatty acids, vitamin B6, zinc. Omega 3 fatty acids are important in the prevention of free-radical damage, aging, cancerous changes, and inflammation among many other important roles. Famotidine (Pepcid and Pepcid AC) depletes alcium, folic acid, iron, vitamin B12, vitamin D and zinc. (Never take iron without confirming iron deficiency by laboratory testing.) Hydrochlorothiazide (Esidrix, Ezide, Dyazide, DydroDIURIL, Hydro-Par, Maxide, Microzide, Oretic) depletes coenzyme Q10, magnesium, potassium, vitamin B6 and zinc.Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (fenoprofen, ibuprofen, neproxen, Aleve, Anaprox, Advil, Excedrin, Motrin,, Naprosyn, Nuprin, Orudis, and Pamprin) depletes folic acid. Omeprazole (Prilosec) depletes vitamin B12. Oral Contraceptives deplete vitamin C, vitamin B2, folic acid, magnesium, vitamin B6, vitamin B12 and zinc. Prevastatin (Pravachol) depletes coenzyme Q10. Ranitidine Hydrochloride (Zantac) depletes calcium, folic acid, iron, vitamin B12, vitamin D and zinc. (Never take iron without confirming iron deficiency by laboratory testing.) Triamterine (Dyrenium) depletes calcium, folic acid and zinc. Valproic acid (Depacote) depletes carnitine and folic acid.