Cardiovascular Drugs

Some prescription drugs deplete critical nutrients from the body. Use this guide to see if your medications are depleting critical nutrients. Check with your Doctor or Pharmacist to see if you should be supplementing these nutrients to avoid the potential side-effects of nutrient depletion.

More drug induced nutrient depletions are listed here.

Medication

Nutrients Depleted

Other Considerations

Cholesterol Lowering Drugs
Statins
Lipitor, Pravachol, Zocor, Mevacor, Lescol		CoQ10, Vitamin E
  • Possible harmful interactions with high levels of vitamin B3
Bile Inhibitors
Colestid, Prevalite, Questran		Vitamins A, B12, D, E, K, Beta-carotene, Calcium, Magnesium, Iron, Zinc, Folic Acid
  • Vitamin supplements should be taken one hour before or 4-6 hours after taking this medication for optimal absorption.

Blood Pressure Drugs
ACE Inhibitors
Prinivil, Zestril, Basotec, Captopril, Lotensin		Zinc
  • May increase potassium levels in the body.
  • Possible harmful interactions with arginine.
  • Iron and magnesium should be taken 1 hour before or 4-6 hours after taking this medication.
Beta Blockers
Inderal, Lopressor, Toprol XL, Tenormin, Visken, Sectral, Betoptic, Cartrol, Zebeta
CoQ10
Calcium Channel Blockers
Cardizem, Norvasc, Procardia
  • Vitamin D may interfere with drug activity, so take 1 hour before or 4-6 hours after taking medication.
Loop Diuretics
Demadex, Edecrin, Furosemide, Lasix		Vitamins B1 & B6, Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Zinc
  • Depletes potassium, so potassium levels should be monitored by the physician.
  • Possible dangerous interactions with herb licorice.
  • should avoid diuretic herbs which potentiate these drugs.
Potassium Sparing Diuretics
Aldactone, Dyrenium, Midamor, Triamterene		Folic Acid, Calcium
  • Possible harmful interaction with arginine
  • May cause body to retain magnesium so correct potassium to magnesium ratios must be taken.
  • Reduces zinc excretion from body so you must take correct amount of copper to offset.
Thiazide Diuretics
Diuril, Enduron, Microzide, Thalitone Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ)		CoQ10, Magnesium, Potassium, Zinc
  • Possible harmful interaction with herb licorice.
  • May decrease calcium excretion.
Blood Thinners
Coumadin, Warfarin, Heparin, Lovenox
  • Vitamin K, green tea, and ginseng decrease effectiveness.
  • Garlic, ginkgo biloba, and devil's claw may increase blood thinning.
  • Excessive amounts of vitamin C (over 500 mg daily) can decrease effectiveness of Coumadin.