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

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