Drug-induced nutrient depletion

Bupropion, Naltrexone & Nutrient Depletion

Also searched as Contrave. What the clinical evidence reports, what it may mean, and what to discuss with your pharmacist.

1Nutrient association
Moderate DepletionHighest rating
The bottom line

Bupropion, Naltrexone has been associated with depletion of SODIUM. This does not mean a deficiency will occur — it means these are worth knowing about and, if you take Bupropion, Naltrexone long-term, worth raising with your pharmacist or healthcare provider.

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Take more than one medication? Open the checker with Bupropion, Naltrexone pre-loaded and add the rest to see overlapping nutrient signals.

The evidence

Reported nutrient depletions with Bupropion, Naltrexone

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.

SODIUM

Moderate Depletion

ANTIDEPRESSANT DRUGS

Taking antidepressant drugs might increase the risk of hyponatremia.
In humans, antidepressant drugs, including the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) sertraline, escitalopram, fluoxetine, and paroxetine, increase the risk of hyponatremia in some patients, particularly the elderly. Clinical evidence shows that the risk of hyponatremia in elderly patients taking antidepressants such as SSRIs or tricyclic antidepressants is approximately 9%. Antidepressant-induced hyponatremia appears to be due to the syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) caused by over-secretion of antidiuretic hormone.
Taking Bupropion, Naltrexone? Monitor for depletion; a supplement is needed for some patients.
Dr. Brian Staiger, Pharm.D explains

Sodium keeps your fluid balance, blood pressure, and nerve signals working properly, so low levels are worth taking seriously. Bupropion acts on the brain similarly to antidepressants, and antidepressants as a class can sometimes cause the body to hold onto too much water by triggering a hormone signal that tells the kidneys to stop releasing fluid. That dilutes the sodium in your bloodstream, which is the mechanism behind a condition called SIADH. This is rated as a moderate concern, meaning it does not happen to everyone but it is worth watching for, especially in older adults. If you notice symptoms like nausea, headache, confusion, or unusual fatigue while taking this medication, let your pharmacist or doctor know right away.

What Sodium does & food sources

Sodium maintains fluid balance, blood pressure, and nerve/muscle function.

Common food sources:

  • Table salt and most processed foods — dietary shortage is rare; medication-related loss is about balance, not intake

HelloPharmacist pharmacist-reviewed education — separate from the licensed record above.

What to discuss with your clinician

Sodium is part of routine blood work. If you take an associated medication (like certain diuretics or antidepressants), ask how often your electrolytes should be checked — especially if you feel confused, weak, or unusually tired.

HelloPharmacist pharmacist-reviewed education — separate from the licensed record above.

Supplement considerations

Low sodium from a medication is managed by your care team (often by adjusting the medication or fluids) — not by eating more salt on your own.

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: Significant symptoms of low sodium (confusion, severe weakness) warrant prompt medical attention.

Learn more about this nutrient: Sodium — uses, safety & interactions

References (3)
  1. Giorlando F, Teister J, Dodd S, Udina M, Berk M. Hyponatraemia: an audit of aged psychiatry patients taking SSRIs and SNRIs. Curr Drug Saf 2013;8(3):175-80. PubMed
  2. Wilkinson TJ, Begg EJ, Winter AC, Sainsbury R. Incidence and risk factors for hyponatraemia following treatment with fluoxetine or paroxetine in elderly people. Br J Clin Pharmacol 1999;47(2):211-217. PubMed
  3. Mannesse CK, Jansen PA, Van Marum RJ, Sival RC, Kok RM, Haffmans PM, Egberts TC. Characteristics, prevalence, risk factors, and underlying mechanism of hyponatremia in elderly patients treated with antidepressants: a cross-sectional study. Maturitas 2013; PubMed
Important

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.
Understand the basics

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.

Common questions

Bupropion, Naltrexone & nutrients: FAQs

Does Bupropion, Naltrexone deplete SODIUM?
Bupropion, Naltrexone has been associated with lower SODIUM levels in the clinical literature — see the evidence rating and details above. An association is not a guarantee: dose, duration, diet, and your own health all matter. If you take Bupropion, Naltrexone long-term, ask your healthcare provider whether checking your SODIUM status is appropriate.
Should I take a supplement because I take Bupropion, Naltrexone?
Not automatically. The right first step is usually a conversation with your pharmacist or provider — they can weigh your dose and duration, decide whether testing makes sense, and recommend food-first strategies or a supplement if genuinely needed. Some supplements can interact with medications, so do not add one without checking.
Should I stop taking Bupropion, Naltrexone?
No — never stop a prescribed medication because of a nutrient association. Bupropion, Naltrexone is prescribed for good reasons, and nutrient considerations are usually manageable with monitoring or diet. Any change to your medication belongs in a conversation with your prescriber.
Where does this information come from?
The depletion records come from the Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center) database — an evidence-graded clinical reference — and are displayed as published, with their citations. The plain-English context is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists.

Questions about Bupropion, Naltrexone and your nutrition?

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Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Nutrient depletion records for Bupropion, Naltrexone are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database, and are displayed as published with their citations.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.