Table 1.
Effects of prescription and over-the-counter medications on micronutrient levels in patients, including vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants ([16, 17] and references in each).
| Drug class | Nutrients depleted |
|---|---|
| Prescription medications | |
| Antibiotics (fluoroquinolones): Levaquin, Avelox, Cipro, Floxin, Noroxin, Penetrex, Trovan | Biotin, B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, zinc, and healthy intestinal bacteria |
| Antibiotics (macrolides): erythromycin, azithromycin, Biaxin, Zithromax | Healthy intestinal bacteria, B1, B2, B3, B6, and B12 |
| Antibiotics (penicillins): amoxicillin, Amoxil, Trimox, penicillin | Healthy intestinal bacteria, B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, vitamin k, folic acid, biotin, and inositol |
| ACE inhibitors: lisinopril, Altace, Accupril, Capoten, Prinivil, Zestril, Vasotec | Zinc |
| Beta-2 adrenergic receptor agonists: albuterol aerosol, Brethine, Proventil, Tornalate, Ventolin, Xopenex | Potassium and possibly calcium-magnesium and phosphorus |
| Beta-blockers: atenolol, Corgard, Lopressor, Tenormin, Toprol XL, metoprolol | Coenzyme Q10, chromium, and melatonin |
| Biguanides: metformin, Glucophage | Folic acid, B12 |
| Bisphosphonates: Fosamax, Actonel, Boniva, Didronel, Skelid | Calcium-magnesium and phosphorus |
| Calcium channel blockers: amlodipine, felodipine, nifedipine, nimodipine, nisoldipine | Vitamin D |
| Cardiac glycosides: digoxin, Digitek, Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps | Calcium-magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and B1 |
| Conjugated estrogens: Premarin hormone replacement therapy, birth control pills | B6, vitamin D, calcium-magnesium, zinc, folic acid, and B12 |
| Corticosteroids: Flonase, Beclovent, Beconase, QVar, Vancenase, Vanceril, prednisone, Deltasone, Celestone, Cortisone, Cortef, Cortone, dexamethasone, Decadron, Hydrocortone, Medrol, methylprednisolone | Beta-carotene, B6, folic acid, vitamin C, vitamin D, calcium-magnesium, potassium, selenium, zinc, and melatonin |
| Loop diuretics: furosemide, Lasix, ethacrynic acid, Edecrin, Bumex | B1, B6, vitamin C, calcium-magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc |
| Opiates: hydrocodone/acetaminophen, oxycodone | Folic acid, vitamin C, iron, and potassium |
| Potassium sparing diuretics: amiloride, spironolactone, triamterene, aldactone, dyazide, Dyrenium, Maxzide | Calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus |
| Proton pump inhibitors: omeprazole, Prilosec, Prevacid, Nexium, Protonix, Aciphex | Beta-carotene, B1, B12, folic acid, calcium, and zinc |
| Statins: Lipitor, Crestor, Lescol, Pravachol, Zocor, Mevacor | Coenzyme Q10 |
| Sulfonylurea: glyburide, glipizide, glimepiride, Amaryl, Diabeta, Glucotrol, Glynase, Micronase | Coenzyme Q10 |
| Thiazide diuretics: hydrochlorothiazide | Vitamin D, calcium-magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, and coenzyme Q10 |
| Tricyclic antidepressants: Amitriptyline, clomipramine, doxepin, imipramine, Anafranil, Asendin, Elavil, Tofranil, Vivactil | Coenzyme Q10, B2, and sodium |
|
| |
| Over-the-counter medications | |
| Acetaminophen: Tylenol | Coenzyme Q10 and glutathione |
| Antacids: Amphojel, Basaljel, aluminum hydroxide plus magnesium, Gaviscon, Gelusil, Maalox, Mylanta | Beta-carotene, folic acid, vitamin D, calcium-magnesium, chromium, iron, zinc, and phosphorus |
| Aspirin | Folic acid, vitamin C, iron, potassium, and zinc |
| Laxatives with bisacodyl: Carter's little pills, Correctol, Dulcolax, Feen-A-Mint, PMS-Bisacodyl | Calcium and potassium |
| NSAIDs: ibuprofen, naproxen | Folic acid |
| OTC proton-pump inhibitors: famotidine, pepcid, Tagamet, Zantac | Folic acid, B1, B12, vitamin D, calcium, iron, and zinc |