Nutrient Depletion Caused by Prescription & OTC Medication

Chronic Medication Use can cause Nutrient Depletion

As patients are diligently taking their prescribed or OTC medications, they could be unknowingly depleting themselves of nutrients.  This is constantly seen, many times in the form of medication side effects.  Encompasses in this article are some examples of commonly prescribed medications knows to cause nutrient depletion.

Vitamin K Depletion

Commonly penicillins are used to treat numerous infections.  This class of medications have been known to deplete vitamin K, which in turn increases INR.  It is thought that penicillins decrease the amount of vitamin K producing bacteria in the GI tract.  This can become an issue in patients concomitantly taking Coumadin (warfarin).  Most people do not remain on penicillin drugs long enough to cause major concerns, however there are those on intravenous forms for long periods of time that need to be monitored.  The depletion of vitamin K can extend further to other classes of antibiotics such as tetracyclines, cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones, macrolides, sulfonamides, ect.

Zinc Depletion

Captopril, an ace inhibitor, has been shown to deplete zinc in the body.  This nutrient depletion may result in a decrease in one’s sense of smell and taste, weak immunity, and slow wound healing.  Consider a diabetic patient receiving captopril as treatment for diabetic nephropathy, and the patient develops an ulcer on the ball of the foot.  Given that this patient is a diabetic, wound healing may currently be an issue; however with concurrent captopril use, this could additionally prolong healing time.  A problem does exist with testing for zinc levels – serum concentrations do not reflect any changes in zinc status.  For a more accurate level, leukocytes or erythrocytes should be analyzed.

Statin Induced Nutrient Depletion

Lipitor (atorvastatin) is the number one prescribed drug in the United States.  Statin drugs in general deplete coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10).  A deficiency in this vitamin may affect oxidative phosphorylation and mitochondrial ATP production; a decrease in muscle energy metabolism leading to myopathy.  Other effects seen with CoQ10 depletion are congestive heart failure and an increase in blood pressure.  With so many patients taking statins to low their cholesterol, you can see why it is so important to be aware of this nutrient depletion.

Nutrient Depletion Caused by Metformin

With chronic Glucophage use, a vitamin B12 deficiency may develop.  Low levels of B12 may result in anemia, fatigue, weakness, and an increase in cardiovascular disease.

Creating Awareness

The purpose of this article is to create an awareness of the possibility that long term medication use may deplete important nutrients from the body.  It is imperative to consider nutrient depletion in patients with unexplained side effects.

“You can’t treat one symptom with a medication that will in turn cause 10 more symptoms and ever get ahead.  If you are not using integrative medical nutrient therapy with all of your medications, you can expect the symptoms to outnumber the treatment.” Reg McDaniel, MD.

About the Author:

Ryan Powell, Pharm.D. is an Integrative Pharmacologist and Compounding Pharmacist for PharmaCare Compounding Pharmacy located in Tallmadge, Ohio.  Dr. Powell received his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pa in 2007.  Dr. Powell consults with patients and physicians regarding Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy ,adrenal insufficiency and functional hypothyroidism.  Other specialties include veterinary pharmacology, drug stability and United States Pharmacopeia standards.

References:

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4. Marcoff L, Thompson PD. The role of coenzyme Q10 in statin-associated myopathy. J Amer Col Cardio. 2007;49(23): 2231-2237
5. Liu KW, Dai LK, Woo J. Metformin-related vitamin B12 deficiency. Age and Ageing 2006: 200-201.