Drugs That “Gobble” Vitamins
When taken regularly, some frequently prescribed medications can diminish or deplete your body’s store of important vitamins, minerals and other essential nutrients.
If you take any medications, talk with a nutrition-oriented medical professional about whether you should add certain supplements to your daily regimen.
| Type of Drug | Examples-Name Brands | Nutrients Depleted |
| Antacids | Pepcid, Tagamet, Zantac | Vitamin B12, Folic Acid, Vitamin D, Calcium, Iron, Zinc |
| Prevacid, Prilosec | Vitamin B12 | |
| Antibiotics | Amoxicillin, Erythromycin, Penicillin, Tetracycline | “Friendly” and beneficial intestinal bacteria |
| Antidepressants | Adapin, Aventyl, Elavil, Tofranil | Vitamin B2, CoQ10 |
| Antidiabetic Drugs | Dymelor, Micronase, Tolinase | CoQ10 |
| Glucophage | Vitamin B12 | |
| Anti-Inflammatories | Aspirin | Vitamin C, Folic Acid, Iron, Potassium |
| Advil, Aleve, Dolobid, Feldene, Indocin, Lodine, Motrin, Nalfon, Naprosyn, Orudis, Relafen, Voltaren | Folic Acid | |
| Betamethasone, Budesonide, Cortisone, Dexamethasone, Hydrocortisone, Methylprednisolone, Prednisolone, Prednisone | Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Folic Acid, Calcium, Magensium, Potassium, Selenium, Zinc | |
| Blood Pressure Lowering Drugs | Apresoline | Vitamin B6, CoQ10 |
| Bumex, Edecrin, Lasix | Vitamin B1, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, Magnesium, Calcium, Potassium, Zinc | |
| Aquatensen, Lozol, Zaroxolyn | CoQ10, Magnesium, Potassium, Zinc | |
| Dyrenium | Folic Acid, Calcium, Zinc | |
| Blocadren, Cartrol, Corgard, Inderal, Kerlone, Lopressor, Normodyne, Sectral, Tenormin, Viskin | CoQ10 | |
| Cholesterol Lowering Drugs | Baycol, Lescol, Lipitor, Mevacor, Zocor | CoQ10 |
| Colestid, Questran | Vitamin A, Beta-Catotene, Vitamin B12, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, Folic Acid, Iron | |
| Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) | Evista, Prempro, Premarin, Estratab | Vitamin B2, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Magensium, Zinc |
| Oral Contraceptives | Estrastep, Norinyl, Ortho-Novem, Triphasil | Vitamin B2, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Magensium, Zinc |
| Tranquilizers | Ormazine, Mellaril, Prolixin, Thorazine | Vitamin B2, CoQ10 |
| Haldol | CoQ10 |
SOURCE: Drug-Induced Nutrient Depletion Handbook by R. Pelton et al, Physician’s Desk Reference
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