Many prescription and over-the-counter medications, especially taken over a long time, can cause essential nutrients to be depleted from your body. Different drugs have different affects on your body, and different supplements may be suggested to replenish any nutrient deficiencies. Below is a list of well-known medications, nutrients that may be depleted, and a supplement recommendation. Remember to consult your healthcare practitioner when adding supplements to your diet. These supplements are recommended only to address nutrient deficiency caused by these drugs and are not intended as an alternative to the drug therapy.
You can download a printable PDF copy here: Essential Nutrients for Drug-Induced Depletion
Analgesics / Narcotics
NSAIDS
- Examples: Diclofenac, Celebrex, Ibuprofen, Motrin, Advil, Naproxen, Aleve, Difunisal, Etodolac, Ketoralac
- Nutrient Depletion: Vitamin C, Folic Acid
- Recommendations: Essential Source, Glutathione
Opiates
- Examples: Hydrocodone, Oxycodone, Morphine
- Nutrient Depletion: Vitamin C, Folic Acid, Potassium
- Recommendations: Essential Source, Glutathione, Intestinal Cleanser
Antacids / Antiulcerative
H2 Inhibitors
- Examples: Famotidine, Pepcid, Tagamet, Zantac
- Nutrient Depletion: Vitamin D, B1, Folic Acid, B12, Calcium, Zinc
- Recommendations: Essential Source, B Complex
Proton Pump Inhibitors
- Examples: Omeprazole, Prilosec, Prevacid, Nexium, Protonix, Aciphex
- Nutrient Depletion: B1, Folic Acid, B12, Calcium, Zinc
- Recommendations: Essential Source, B Complex
Antacids
- Examples: Amphojel, Basaljel, Aluminum Hydroxide plus Magnesium, Gaviscon, Gelusil, Maalox, Mylanta
- Nutrient Depletion: Vitamin D, Folic Acid, Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Zinc
- Recommendations: Essential Source, B Complex
Antidepressants
Antidepressants
- Examples: Amitriptlyline, Clomipramine, Doxepin Imipramine, Anafranil, Asendin, Elavil, Tofranil, Vivactil
- Nutrient Depletion: Vitamin D, B1, Folic Acid, B12, Calcium, Zinc
- Recommendations: Essential Source, B Complex
Antibiotics
Antibiotics
- Examples: Levaquin, Avelox, Cipro, Floxin, Noroxin, Trovan, Amoxicilin, Amoxil, Trimox, Penicillin, Erythromycin, Azithromycin, Biaxin, Zithromax
- Nutrient Depletion: B1, B2, B6, B12, Vitamin K, Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc, Potassium, Healthy Intestinal Bacteria
- Recommendations: Essential Source, B Complex, Optimal Probiotic
Anti-Inflammatory
Corticosteroids
- Examples: Betamethasone, Prednisolone, Predisone
- Nutrient Depletion: Vitamin C, Vitamin D, B6, Folic Acid, Calcium, Magnesium
- Recommendations: Essential Source
Blood Sugar
Biguanides
- Examples: Metformin, Glucophage
- Nutrient Depletion: Folic Acid, B12
- Recommendations: B Complex
Sulfonylureas
- Examples: Glyburide, Glipizide, Glimepiride, Amaryl, Diabeta, Glucotrol, Glynase, Micronase
- Nutrient Depletion: Healthy Intestinal Bacteria
- Recommendations: Optimal Probiotic
Bone
Bisphosphonates
- Examples: Fosamax, Actonel, Boniva, Didronel, Reclast
- Nutrient Depletion: Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium
- Recommendations: Essential Source
Cardiovascular
Statins
- Examples: Lipitor, Crestor, Lescol, Pravachol, Zocor, Mevacor, Tricor, Fenfibrate
- Nutrient Depletion: Fat Soluble Vitamins (A, D, E, K) Zinc
- Recommendations: Essential Source, Vegan Omega 3
ACE Inhibitors
- Examples: Lisinopril, Altace, Accupril, Capoten, Prinivil, Zestril, Vasotec
- Nutrient Depletion: Zinc
- Recommendations: Essential Source
Calcium Channel Blockers
- Examples: Amlodipine (Norvasc), Felodipine (Plendil), Nifedipine (Procardia, Adalat), Nimodipine (Nimotop), Nisoldipine (Sular)
- Nutrient Depletion: Vitamin D, Potassium
- Recommendations: Essential Source, Mega Liquid D3 with K2
Cardiac Glycosides
- Examples: Digoxin, Digitek, Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps
- Nutrient Depletion: B1, Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium
- Recommendations: Essential Source, B Complex
Potassium Supplements
- Nutrient Depletion: B12
- Recommendations: B Complex
Diuretics
Loop Diuretics
- Examples: Furosemide, Lasix, Ethacrynic acid, Edecrin, Bumex
- Nutrient Depletion: Vitamin C, B1, B6, Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Zinc, Potassium
- Recommendations: Essential Source, B Complex
Thiazide Diuretic
- Examples: Hydrochlorothiazide
- Nutrient Depletion: Vitamin C, Vitamin D, B1, B6, Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Zinc, Potassium
- Recommendations: Essential Source
Potassium Sparing Diuretics
- Examples: Amiloride, Spironolactone, Trimterene, Aldactone, Dyazide, Dyrenium, Maxzide
- Nutrient Depletion: Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium
- Recommendations: Essential Source
Hormones
Conjugated Estrogens
- Examples: Premarin, Prempro, Oral Contraceptives, Estrace
- Nutrient Depletion: Vitamin D, B6, Folic Acid, B12, Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc
- Recommendations: Essential Source, B Complex
Bio-Identical Hormones
- Examples: Estradiol, Estriol, Estrone
- Nutrient Depletion: Vitamin D, B6, Folic Acid, B12, Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc
- Recommendations: Essential Source, B Complex
Laxatives
Laxatives with Bisacodyl
- Examples: Carter’s Little Pills, Correctol, Dulcolax, Feen-a-Mint, PMS-Bisacodyl
- Nutrient Depletion: Calcium, Potassium
- Recommendations: Essential Source, Optimal Probiotic
Respiratory
Beta-2 Adrenergic Receptor Agonists
- Examples: Albuterol aerosol, Advair, Brethine, Proventil, Tornalate, Xopenex, Ventolin
- Nutrient Depletion: Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Potassium
- Recommendations: Essential Source