Belladonna, Caffeine, Ergotamine, Pentobarbital & Nutrient Depletion
Also searched as Micomp PB. What the clinical evidence reports, what it may mean, and what to discuss with your pharmacist.
Belladonna, Caffeine, Ergotamine, Pentobarbital has been associated with depletion of VITAMIN K and POTASSIUM. This does not mean a deficiency will occur — it means these are worth knowing about and, if you take Belladonna, Caffeine, Ergotamine, Pentobarbital long-term, worth raising with your pharmacist or healthcare provider.
Take more than one medication? Open the checker with Belladonna, Caffeine, Ergotamine, Pentobarbital pre-loaded and add the rest to see overlapping nutrient signals.
Reported nutrient depletions with Belladonna, Caffeine, Ergotamine, Pentobarbital
Each record below is shown as published in our licensed clinical database, with its evidence rating and citations. Expand a section for food sources and talking points.
VITAMIN K
Insignificant DepletionANTICONVULSANTS
When taken during pregnancy, anticonvulsants that induce hepatic enzymes (e.g., phenobarbital, phenytoin, carbamazepine) can reduce vitamin K levels in the fetus and increase the risk of intracranial hemorrhage soon after birth. It's thought that liver enzyme induction by these drugs increases vitamin K metabolism. This has a significant effect on vitamin K levels in infants, who haven't built up stores of the vitamin. When anticonvulsants are needed during pregnancy, vitamin K 10-20 mg daily should be taken orally for the last month of pregnancy, and the baby should receive vitamin K immediately after delivery. There is also limited evidence that chronic carbamazepine or phenytoin therapy can cause subclinical reductions in vitamin K activity in adults. There are rare reports of prolonged clotting times and bleeding in people with additional risk factors for vitamin K deficiency, such as poor nutritional intake. These anticonvulsants don't significantly affect vitamin K and clotting parameters in most children and adults. For information on foods that are rich in vitamin K, see our chart.
Vitamin K is something your body needs to form blood clots and keep bones healthy. This combination product contains pentobarbital, a barbiturate that works similarly to phenobarbital, and there is some thought that drugs in this family can speed up the liver's breakdown of vitamin K over time. That said, the evidence for this particular product is rated insignificant, meaning most people taking it have nothing to worry about. If you are pregnant or have other risk factors for low vitamin K, it is worth bringing up with your doctor or pharmacist just to be safe.
What Vitamin K does & food sources
Vitamin K is required for normal blood clotting and contributes to bone health.
Common food sources:
- Leafy green vegetables (spinach, kale, broccoli)
- Vegetable oils
- Fermented foods like natto
HelloPharmacist pharmacist-reviewed education — separate from the licensed record above.
What to discuss with your clinician
If you take warfarin, vitamin K intake is a central part of your therapy — consistency matters more than avoidance. Discuss any planned change in vitamin K intake (diet or supplements) with the clinic that manages your INR.
HelloPharmacist pharmacist-reviewed education — separate from the licensed record above.
Supplement considerations
Never start or stop a vitamin K supplement on your own if you take warfarin — it directly changes how the medication works.
Do not start or stop medications or supplements without professional guidance — supplements can interact with prescription medications.
HelloPharmacist pharmacist-reviewed education — separate from the licensed record above.
Caution: Vitamin K interacts with warfarin: keep intake consistent and involve your anticoagulation clinic in any change.
Learn more about this nutrient: Vitamin K — uses, safety & interactions
References (8)
- Cornelissen M, Steegers-Theunissen R, Kollee L, et al. Increased incidence of neonatal vitamin K deficiency resulting from maternal anticonvulsant therapy. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1993;168:923-8. PubMed
- Cornelissen M, Steegers-Theunissen R, Kollee L, et al. Supplementation of vitamin K in pregnant women receiving anticonvulsant therapy prevents neonatal vitamin K deficiency. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1993;168:884-8. PubMed
- Renzulli P, Tuchschmid P, Eich G, et al. Early vitamin K deficiency bleeding after maternal phenobarbital intake: management of massive intracranial haemorrhage by minimal surgical intervention. Eur J Pediatr 1998;157:663-5. PubMed
- Bleyer WA, Skinner AL. Fatal neonatal hemorrhage after maternal anticonvulsant therapy. JAMA 1976;235:626-7. DOI
- Thorp JA, Gaston L, Caspers DR, Pal ML. Current concepts and controversies in the use of vitamin K. Drugs 1995;49:376-87. PubMed
- Davies VA, Rothberg AD, Argent AC, Atkinson PM, Staub H, Pienaar NL. Precursor prothrombin status in patients receiving anticonvulsant drugs. Lancet 1985;1:126-8. PubMed
- Keith DA, Gundberg CM, Japour A, et al. Vitamin K-dependent proteins and anticonvulsant medication. Clin Pharmacol Ther 1983;34:529-32. PubMed
- Tam DA Jr, Myer EC. Vitamin K-dependent coagulopathy in a child receiving anticonvulsant therapy. J Child Neurol 1996;11:244-6. PubMed
POTASSIUM
Moderate DepletionMETHYLXANTHINES
Methylxanthines like theophylline can reduce serum potassium levels, possibly by increasing intracellular uptake of potassium. Hypokalemia is most likely to occur after acute overdose of these drugs. However, reduced potassium levels can occur with therapeutic doses, and the incidence and degree of hypokalemia increases with increasing serum theophylline levels. Monitor potassium levels in people with other risk factors for hypokalemia. For information on foods that are rich in potassium, see our chart.
Caffeine belongs to a group of compounds called methylxanthines, and research suggests it can nudge potassium, the mineral your heart rhythm and muscles depend on, from your bloodstream into your cells, which lowers the measurable level in your blood. At normal doses this shift is usually modest, but the effect can become more significant with higher caffeine levels or if you already have other reasons your potassium might run low. Because this combination product carries a moderate depletion rating, it is worth a conversation with your pharmacist or doctor about whether your levels should be checked periodically, especially with long-term use.
What Potassium does & food sources
Potassium keeps nerve signals, muscle contractions, and heart rhythm working normally.
Common food sources:
- Bananas and citrus fruits
- Potatoes and sweet potatoes
- Beans and lentils
- Tomatoes and leafy greens
HelloPharmacist pharmacist-reviewed education — separate from the licensed record above.
What to discuss with your clinician
Potassium is routinely checked with basic blood work. If you take a medication associated with potassium loss (like some diuretics), ask your provider how often your electrolytes should be monitored.
HelloPharmacist pharmacist-reviewed education — separate from the licensed record above.
Supplement considerations
Do not start potassium supplements on your own. Both low and high potassium can affect heart rhythm, and several common medications (ACE inhibitors, ARBs, potassium-sparing diuretics) raise potassium.
Do not start or stop medications or supplements without professional guidance — supplements can interact with prescription medications.
HelloPharmacist pharmacist-reviewed education — separate from the licensed record above.
Caution: Potassium supplementation can be dangerous in kidney disease or alongside potassium-raising medications — this is a decision for your prescriber, guided by lab results.
Learn more about this nutrient: Potassium — uses, safety & interactions
References (5)
- Ellenhorn MJ, et al. Ellenhorn's Medical Toxicology: Diagnoses and Treatment of Human Poisoning. 2nd ed. Baltimore, MD: Williams & Wilkins, 1997.
- Crane J, Burgess CD, Graham AN, Maling TJB. Hypokalemic and electrocardiographic effects of aminophylline and salbutamol in obstructive airways disease. NZ Med J 1987;100:309-11. DOI
- Zantvoort FA, Derkx FHM, Boomsma F, et al. Theophylline and serum electrolytes (letter). Ann Int Med 1986;104:134-5. PubMed
- Braat MCP, Jonkers RE, Bel EH, Van Boxtel CJ. Quantification of theophylline-induced eosinopenia and hypokalamia in healthy volunteers. Clin Pharmacokinet 1992;22:231-7..
- Flack JM, Ryder KW, Strickland D, Whang R. Metabolic correlates of theophylline therapy: a concentration-related phenomenon. Ann Pharmacother 1994;28:175-9.. PubMed
This tool is educational and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. An association is not a diagnosis and does not mean a deficiency will occur. Always talk to your pharmacist or healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication or supplement.
Disclaimer: This checker finds which nutrients might be depleted by prescription or over-the-counter medications. Each nutrient depletion issue is rated based on clinical significance. Use your own professional judgment prior to making clinical decisions.© 2026 Therapeutic Research Center Licensed records refresh weekly · last updated July 3, 2026.
More about Belladonna, Caffeine, Ergotamine, Pentobarbital
What drug-induced nutrient depletion means
Some medications can, over time, lower the levels of certain vitamins, minerals, or other nutrients — through reduced absorption, increased loss, or changes in how the body uses them.
Association is not deficiency
An entry here means a depletion has been reported or studied — not that it happens to everyone, or that you are deficient. Dose, duration, diet, and your own health all matter.
Evidence varies by pair
Some drug–nutrient links (like metformin and vitamin B12) are well studied; others rest on limited or preliminary research. Each entry shows the evidence rating from our licensed clinical database.
When to ask about labs
If you take an associated medication long-term, ask your healthcare provider whether monitoring is appropriate for you. Not everyone needs testing — your provider can weigh your dose, duration, and symptoms.
Don't self-supplement blindly
Supplements are not risk-free: some can interact with medications, and some (like potassium or magnesium) can be risky with kidney disease. Talk to your pharmacist before adding anything.
Never stop a medication over this
These medications are prescribed for good reasons, and the benefit usually far outweighs a manageable nutrient consideration. Any change belongs in a conversation with your prescriber.
Food first, usually
For many nutrients, a varied diet covers the gap. Each entry lists common food sources; a supplement is a decision to make with your pharmacist or provider, not a default.
Belladonna, Caffeine, Ergotamine, Pentobarbital & nutrients: FAQs
Does Belladonna, Caffeine, Ergotamine, Pentobarbital deplete VITAMIN K?
Should I take a supplement because I take Belladonna, Caffeine, Ergotamine, Pentobarbital?
Should I stop taking Belladonna, Caffeine, Ergotamine, Pentobarbital?
Where does this information come from?
Questions about Belladonna, Caffeine, Ergotamine, Pentobarbital and your nutrition?
Ask a licensed pharmacist — free, no appointment needed.
Sources & How We Checked
Nutrient depletion records for Belladonna, Caffeine, Ergotamine, Pentobarbital are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database, and are displayed as published with their citations.
- Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center) — Evidence-graded clinical reference for drug-induced nutrient depletions, supplements, and interactions — the basis for this page.
- MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine — NIH consumer drug information, used for medication overviews across the site.
Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.