What nutritional deficiencies can medications produce?

Drug-induced Nutrient Depletion

Drugs have side effects, I’m sure you know this, but what really causes a lot of these possible side effects? The nutritional deficiencies that are produced by these drugs. Drugs are chemicals that are foreign to the body and as such can deplete the body of its natural stores of vitamins, minerals and hormones. Not understanding this can lead to new “diseases”, those created by the deficiencies.

If a person takes a drug, it’s a good thing to understand what to do to ward off these deficiencies by supplementing your diet.

When your medication depletes the Electrolytes (magnesium, calcium, potassium, etc.) Find out more at Electrolytes

Neuropathy Drugs

So, what deficiencies are caused by the drugs commonly taken for neuropathy?

Neurontin (Gabapentin) – this drug is a anticonvulsant – it can produce deficiencies in calcium, folate (vitamin B9), thiamine (B1) Note: B1 is necessary to repair the damaged nerves, and vitamin D (also needed to repair nerves)

Lyrica (pregabalin) is an anti-epileptic drug, also called an anticonvulsant –boosts potassium levels, depletes the body of thiamine(B1) & vitamin D

Cymbalta (duloxetine) is an anti-depressant – can cause possible calcium, iron and multi-vitamin deficiencies. These types of drugs, as anti-depressants, can cause hormone imbalances. For more information go to Cymbalta for Neuropathy

For a Nerve Health Breakthrough with B1 and Vitamin D and More.

Blood Pressure Drugs
Diuretics

Diuretics (“water pills”) increase the amount of sodium and water excreted into the urine by the kidneys. It is thought that they lower blood pressure mainly by reducing the volume of fluid in the blood vessels.

Diuretics include Tholitone (chlorthalidone), HydroDiuril, Microzide and Esidrix (hydrocholorthiaziede), Lozol (Idaparrade), Zaroxolyn, Mykrox (metclazone), etc.

They create deficiencies in B vitamins, folate, niacin, riboflavin, thiamine, & B6, as well as vitamin C, CoQ10, iron, zinc, calcium, magnesium and potassium.

Beta Blockers

Beta blockers block the effect of adrenaline on the cardiovascular system.

Sectral (Acebutolol), Tenormin (Atenolol), Kerlone (Betaxolol), Zebeta or Ziac (bisoprolol), Cartrol (carteolol), Coreg (Carvedilol), Normodyne or Trandate (Labetalol), Lopressor or Toprol (Metoprolol), Corgard (Nandolol), Levatol (Penbutolol), Inderal or Inderal LA (Propranolol), Biocadren (Timolol), etc.

These medications create deficiencies in CoQ10. Need to make sure potassium doesn’t go too high. Do not take with alcohol, orange juice, animal protein, or licorice.

Calcium Channel Blockers

Calcium channel blockers can reduce blood pressure by dilating the arteries and, in some cases, reducing the force of the heart’s contractions.

Norvasc or Caduet or Lotrel (Amlodipine), Cradizem or Dilacor or Tiazac (Diltiazem), Plendil (Felodipine), DynaCirc (Isradipine), Cardene (Nicardipinie), Procardia XL or Adalat (Nifedipine), Sular (Nisoldipine), Isoptin or Calan or Verelan (Isoptin), etc.

These create deficiencies in potassium, vitamin D, calcium and possibly CoQ10.

Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors (ACE Inhibitors)

The angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (the “ACE inhibitors”) can lower blood pressure by dilating the arteries.

Some of these are Lotensin (Benazepril), Capoten (Captopril), Vasotec or Vaseretic (Enalapril), Monopril (Fosinopril), Prinival or Zestril (Lisinopril), Univasc (Moexipril), Accupril (Quinapril), Altace (Ramipril), Mavik (Trandolapril), etc.

These will deplete the body of CoQ10, calcium, magnesium, potassium & zinc.

Statin Drugs (Anti-Cholesterol Drugs)

Statin drugs are known to be linked to various side effects in their attempt to lower cholesterol. Some of these are Lipitor, Crestor, Zetia, etc.)

Coenzyme Q10:

Coenzyme Q10 is a powerful antioxidant that makes energy for you by sparking the production of the energy molecule ATP which every single cell in your body needs to function. It assists in hundreds of enzymatic reactions. ATP provides the energy that helps blood sugar regulation, muscle contraction, disease prevention, brain health and proper heart function. It is most famous for its role in the heart. Enzymes are substances that help make chemical reactions take place. A coenzyme helps an enzyme do its job.

It is found that statin drugs depletes the body of this coenzyme.

Studies suggest that there can be a statin-induced vitamin D deficiency which causes muscle pain and cramps.

Researchers have found that CoQ10 helps support healthy nerve/muscle coordination, healthy memory retention, as well as the regulation, integration, and coordination of on-going nervous system transmissions.

Thus, depleting the body of CoQ10 can lead to many possible side effects.

If you have heard that statins have a possible side effect of nerve damage this is due to the cholesterol blocking function of this drug. Statin drugs work by inhibiting an enzyme called HMG CoA reductase in the pathway to produce cholesterol. Cholesterol is also a major building block for cell membranes and nerves. The nerve lining, the myelin sheath, is made from cholesterol. A study was published in the journal, Neurology, in 2002. It was found that people who were taking a statin drug at the time of his study had a 16.1-fold increased risk of neuropathy compared to people not taking statins. For more information about neuropathy.

Information about Nerve Health Breakthrough

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If you would you like to learn what else to do when taking these drugs or research what nutritional deficiencies are caused by other drugs –

Read: Drug Muggers : How To Keep Your Medicine From Stealing the Life Out of You by Suzy Cohen, RPh (Registered Pharmacist)

Psychiatric Drug Side Effects -Click to go to a database on these side effects.