| Drug Class | Examples | Nutrient Depletions | Possible Symptoms | Other Contraindications | Recommended Supplement |
|---|
| Statins | Lipitor, Zocor, Baycol | One study showed that Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) levels fell by 50% after 30 days in patients taking statins. Supplementation has been shown to reduce the severity of muscle pain that can develop as a side effect of statin use. | High blood pressure, fatigue, muscle weakness, gingivitis, heart problems | Red yeast rice contains the naturally occurring active ingredient in statins, and should not be used with these medications. Grapefruit juice and pomegranate juice should also be avoided. | For those who are taking statins, we recommend supplementing with Pharmaca brand CoQ10 100 mg. |
| Oral Contraceptives | Ortho Tri-Cyclen, Yasmin, Alesse | Birth control pills cause a range of nutrient depletions, including folic acid, magnesium, vitamins B2, B3, B6, B12, C and zinc. With long-term use, many women do not recognize that their health conditions may be associated with their oral contraceptive. | Anemia, headache, depression, nausea, problems with hair or skin | Women taking these medications should avoid smoking, especially if they are over age 35. | New Chapter's Every Woman's One Daily contains 100% of the recommended daily intake of B vitamins, including folic acid, as well as probiotics and superfoods. |
| NSAIDs | Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin), Naproxen (Aleve or Anaprox) | Both folic acid and iron can be depleted by sustained use of NSAIDs. Supplementation can help return levels to a normal range. | Anemia, diarrhea, insomnia | White willow has similar anti-inflammatory properties to aspirin, so should not be taken concurrently. It is also not recommended that anyone taking lithium use NSAIDs since these mediations cause higher blood levels of that mineral. | Try Pharmaca brand Folic Acid, one of our best-sellers, and Floradix Iron by Flora to support your system during times of sustained NSAID use. |
| Antibiotics | Amoxicillin, Cephalexin, Penicillin | Healthy bacteria like Lactobacillus, Saccharomyces and Bifidobacterium are also killed off with antibiotic therapy. Taking a probiotic with these strains 1-2 hours after an antibiotic can help prevent common side effects like diarrhea and yeast infections. | Diarrhea, upset stomach, yeast overgrowth, immune problems | Because so many different classes of antibiotics exist, be sure to speak with your doctor or pharmacist about potential interactions. | Our practitioners often recommend Pharmax HiPotency Probiotics as well as Jarrow's Jarro-Dophilus when undergoing antibiotic treatment. |
| Acid Blockers | Aciphex, Nexium, Prevacid, Prilosec | Acid blockers work to disrupt stomach acid production, but this means they also prevent the normal absorption of nutrients like vitamin B12, folic acid and calcium. | Fatigue, confusion, memory loss, dermatitis, depression | Aspirin or other NSAIDs can cause stomach ulcers, and are not recommended while using prescription acid blockers. | We often suggest Pharmaca's Hi Potency Multivitamin for its therapeutic levels of nutrients, including those depleted by acid blockers. |
| Estrogens | Estradiol, Premarin, Vivelle, Vagifem | Ironically, most women begin taking estrogens later in life, but hormone replacement therapy can deplete nutrients that promote healthy aging, like vitamin B6, magnesium and folic acid. | Depression, sleep disturbance, heart problems, fatigue, headache, increased risk of blood clots and osteoporosis | Women who are taking estrogens should avoid grapefruit juice, pomegranate juice and quercetin due to its estrogenic activity. | A supplement like Rainbow Light Women's One Multivitamin provides the full range of nutrients that can be lost while undergoing estrogen therapy. |