By Namwook Cho L.Ac.
Acupuncturists are dealing with patients on various prescribed and over-the-counter OTC medications. Many readers gave us positive feedback regarding the article introducing drug-induced nutrient depletion. I researched more variety of medications, including OTC and specific brand names.
As we practice acupuncture and diagnose, medications used by the patient could help us find the origin of the symptom that your patient complained about. Side effects of the medication could cause the symptom, or the complaint has been developed as nutritional depletion drug-induced. It is not enough to find a series of side effects if you have a patient on certain medications. You also must know what nutritional depletion induced and need to find a connection between the depletion and current symptoms.
Drug-Induced Nutrition Depletion Check-up List
By Its Brand Name or Type, You Can Easily Lookup Nutrition Depletion
As we practice acupuncture and diagnose, medications used by the patient could help us find the origin of the symptom that your patient complained about.
Side effects of the medication could cause the symptom, or the complaint has been developed as nutritional depletion drug-induced. It is not enough to find a series of side effects if you have a patient on certain medications. You also must know what nutritional depletion induced and need to find a connection between the depletion and current symptoms.
Here is the list of prescribed and OTCs with brand name and list of nutrients depleted.
- OTCs (Non-prescription medications): Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, NSAIDs, are often used to reduce pain and inflammation. Common brand names of NSAIDs on the selves in a pharmacy are Advil (Ibuprofen), Naproxen, Aleve, and other Arthritis drugs. NSAIDs reduce folic acid levels. Folate and folic acid are forms of vitamin B9 used for deficiency and to prevent pregnancy complications. Therefore, patients planning to have a baby or in pregnancy must let their doctors know and have a consultation for using the medication.
- Asprin makes folic acid, vitamin C, iron, potassium, and zinc, and Tylenol (Acetaminophen) causes Coenzyme Q10 and Glutathione deficiency, respectively.
- According to Mayo clinic, Coenzyme Q10, CoQ10 is an antioxidant that the body produces naturally. Body cells use CoQ10 for growth and maintenance. CoQ10 might help reduce blood pressure, aid recovery in people who have had bypass and heart valve surgeries, lower low-density lipoprotein and LDL cholesterol in diabetes patients, and reduce migraine frequencies.
- Antacids: Amphojel, Basaljel, Aluminum Hydroxide plus Magnesium, Gaviscon, Gelusil, Maalox, and Mylanta are used to reduce symptoms related to gastritis, or Gastroesophageal reflux disease, GERD. Antacids usually cause Beta-Carotene, Folic Acid, Vitamin D, Calcium, Magnesium, Chromium, Iron, Zinc, and Phosphorus deficiency.
There is another family to suppress acid in the stomach to reduce the uncomfortable sensation of an excessive amount of acid called H2 Inhibitors. Famotidine, Pepcid, Tagamet, and Zantac are H2 Inhibitors, and the medicine cause Folic Acid, Vitamin B1, B12, D, Calcium, Iron, and Zinc depletion. - Conjugated Estrogen, Antidepressants: Premarin hormone replacement therapy (Evista, Prempro, Premarin, Estratab, etc.) and birth control pills such as Norinyl, Ortho-Novum, and Triphasil affect Vitamin B6, D, B12, Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc, and Folic Acid. Adapin, Aventyl, Elavil, Tofranil, Pamelor, Sinequan, and Norpramin are the brand name of antidepressants, and they cause Vitamin B12 and CoQ10 deficiency.
- Corticosteroid (Inhaler): Flonase, Beclovent, Beconase, QVar, Vancenase, and Vanceril are prescribed to treat asthma or allergic rhinitis. Patients on those medications have a high chance of Beta-Carotene, Vitamin B6, C, D, Folic Acid, Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Selenium, Zinc, and Melatonin deficiency.
Referred “Nutrient Depletion,” Nutritional Therapy Association, Inc, and “Drug-Induced Nutrient Depletion Handbook” March 2001 by Ross Pelton James B. LaValle, Ernest B. Hawkins.
