We have reviewed the important roles vitamins play in energy production and metabolism over the past few weeks. We will wrap up this review with a look at the effect medications may have on vitamin levels. Medications can affect processes that are involved in the use, absorption, or excretion of vitamins. Many of the side effects of medications are actually due to the depletion of nutrients over time. The following chart indicates the nutrients that are depleted by various medications.

Anticonvulsant medications
Dilantin® - biotin, vitamin D, calcium, folic acid, and vitamins B1 and B12
Carbamazepine - folic acid, vitamin D, biotin
Valproic Acid - folic acid, carnitine

Diabetic medications
Glyburide - coenzyme Q10
Metformin - vitamin B12

Anti-inflammatory agents
Ibuprofen or Celebrex® - folic acid
Prednisone - calcium, vitamin D, potassium, zinc, vitamin C, magnesium, folic acid and selenium
Sulfasalazine - folic acid

Heart medications
Aspirin - vitamin C, folic acid, iron, and potassium
Furosemide or Bumetanide - calcium, magnesium, vitamin B1 and B6, potassium, and zinc
Hydrochlorothiazide or Indapamide - magnesium, potassium, zinc, coenzyme Q10
Hydrochlorothiazide with Triamterene - calcium, folic acid, and vitamin B6
Captopril or Enalapril - zinc
Clonidine - coenzyme Q10
Lanoxin® - calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, and vitamin B1
Beta-blockers - coenzyme Q10
Potassium - vitamin B12

Cholesterol lowering agents
"Statins" - coenzyme Q10
Cholestyramine - fat soluble vitamins (vitamins A, D, and E)

Hormones
Oral contraceptives - folic acid, vitamins B6, B2, and B12, magnesium, and zinc
Estrogens - vitamin B6, magnesium, and zinc

Acid suppressants
Cimetidine, Famotidine, Ranitidine, Nizatidine - vitamin B12, folic acid, vitamin D, calcium, iron, and zinc
Prevacid® or Prilosec® - vitamin B12

If you are taking any of these or other medications regularly, you may wish to consider nutritional supplements. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for information regarding vitamin depletion.

All vitamins are discounted 10% on Tuesdays. Make Taos Pharmacy your nutrition resource.

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