While there is no doubt that OTC and prescription medications are effective for treating certain conditions, the idea of side effects is never a pleasant one. In addition to the typical side effects mentioned on the medication bottle or write-up, there are many common medications that deplete nutrients too. Side effects are one of the primary reasons why so many people choose to look for natural alternatives or nutritional solutions for their health problems. However, there are many instances where these medications are needed and as such, one should know what to recover or undo the damage done by them.

Aside from the common issues of hepatotoxicity or damage to the microbiome (among many other issues that these meds typically have), one of the more overlooked side effects is that of nutrient-depletion. Nutrient-depletion can lead to nutrient deficiencies – this can lead to serious health problems and increase the risk of developing many diseases. In this article, I share with you some of the most common OTC and prescription medications along with the specific nutrients they deplete. That way, you know what to replenish.

Keep in mind that many nutrient-dense foods can help meet nutritional requirements – I have discussed this in detail in my article “Nutrient-Dense Foods“. At the same time, certain nutrients, such as CoQ10 or Glutathione, may require supplementation. This is a discussion to have with your holistic doctor.

Over The Counter Medicines

Acetaminophen (Tylenol/Paracetamol) -> Depletes Glutathione – a critical antioxidant

Aspirin -> Depletes Vitamin C, Folate, Potassium, Zinc, and Iron

Antacids -> Depletes Magnesium, Phosphate, Vitamin B12, Iron, Zinc, and Vitamin D

Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) -> Depletes Folic Acid, Potassium, Iron, and Vitamin C

Decongestants (Pseudoephedrine, Phenylephrine) -> Depletes Potassium

Antihistamines (Diphenhydramine, Loratadine) -> Depletes Potassium and Vitamin C

PPIs (Omeprazole, Lansoprazole)-> Depletes Magnesium, Calcium, Vitamin B12, Zinc, and Iron

Laxatives -> Depletes Potassium, Sodium, Magnesium, and Zinc

Prescription Medicines

Statins (Atorvastatin, Simvastatin) -> Depletes CoQ10 and Vitamin D

Oral Contraceptives -> Depletes B Vitamins (B6, B12, Folate), Magnesium, Zinc, and Vitamin C

Metformin (Used for Diabetes) -> Depletes Vitamin B12, Folate and CoQ10

Beta-Blockers (Atenolol, Metoprolol) -> Depletes Coenzyme Q10 and Melatonin

Diuretics -> Depletes Potassium, Magnesium, Zinc, Calcium, B-Vitamins (B1, B6), and Vitamin C

Corticosteroids -> Depletes Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Vitamin D, Vitamin C, and Zinc

Antidepressants (Fluoxetine, Sertraline) -> Depletes Sodium, Melatonin, and Folate

Antibiotics -> Depletes B-Vitamins (B1, B2, B6, B12), Vitamin K, Iron, Calcium, and Magnesium

Antiepileptic Drugs (Phenytoin, Valproate) -> Depletes Calcium, Vitamin D, Folate, and Biotin

ACE Inhibitors (Lisinopril, Enalapril) -> Depletes Zinc and Sodium

Keep in mind that these are just some of the common OTC and prescription medications. If you are currently taking any long-term medicines and would like to know what nutrients might be getting depleted, comment below with the name of the medication you are taking and I will get back to you as soon as possible.

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(Always use medicinal herbs under the supervision of a doctor)

by Dr. Nishal R.
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