Could your symptoms be nutritional deficiencies? Medications can have many potential side effects that patients often aren’t aware of when they start a new prescription. Are you aware of all the possible side effects of your medications and the nutrient deficiencies they can cause?
Medications can cause nutrient deficiencies by:
- Decreasing the body’s ability to absorb vitamins and minerals
- Increasing excretion of nutrients
- Increasing the amount of a nutrient needed to help break down the drug
Common medications and the nutrients that are affected:
Oral Contraceptives
- Magnesium
- Folic Acid, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
Proton Pump Inhibitors (omeprazole/Priloscec, pantoprazole)
- Magnesium
- Vitamin B12
- Iron
Statins
(atorvastatin/Lipitor, simvastatin, rosuvastatin
- Co Q 10
- Vitamin E
Diuretics (hydrochlorothiazide/HCTZ, chlorthalidone)
- Zinc
- Potassium
- Calcium
- Magnesium
Metformin
- Vitamin B12
- Folic Acid
What should you do if you’re taking nutrient-depleting medications?
- Do NOT stop your medications abruptly without talking to your healthcare provider. Some medications may require tapering and some medications should not be stopped at all.
- Consider getting your nutrient levels tested or talk to your doctor about possible symptoms of nutrient deficiency.
- Consider supplementing to prevent deficiency with high-quality, third-party tested supplements.
Cortney M. Mospan. (2019, December 17). Drug-induced nutrient depletions: What pharmacists need to know. U.S. Pharmacist – The Leading Journal in Pharmacy. https://www.uspharmacist.com/article/druginduced-nutrient-depletions-what-pharmacists-need-to-know