Drug-induced nutrient depletion

Diclofenac Sodium, Misoprostol & Nutrient Depletion

Also searched as Arthrotec 50, Arthrotec 75. What the clinical evidence reports, what it may mean, and what to discuss with your pharmacist.

1Nutrient association
Insufficient EvidenceHighest rating
The bottom line

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

Ask a pharmacist about Diclofenac Sodium, Misoprostol Free · usually answered within 24 hours

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

The evidence

Reported nutrient depletions with Diclofenac Sodium, Misoprostol

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.

FOLIC ACID

Insufficient Evidence

NONSTEROIDAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUGS (NSAIDs)

It is unclear if NSAIDs can reduce serum folate levels.

Folate-dependent enzymes are inhibited in vitro by NSAIDs with carboxylic acid-containing side chains. The clinical significance of this inhibition is unknown. For information on foods that are rich in folate, see our chart.
Taking Diclofenac Sodium, Misoprostol? Insufficient evidence to rate; clinical significance is not known.
Dr. Brian Staiger, Pharm.D explains

Folic acid is a B vitamin your body uses to build healthy cells and support nerve function. The NSAID component in this combination drug has a chemical structure that, in laboratory studies, appears to interfere with certain folate-dependent enzymes, but whether that translates into any meaningful drop in folate levels in real patients is simply not known yet. Given that the evidence is rated insufficient, this is more of an open question than a proven concern, so most people on this medication do not need to act on it. If you take this drug long-term and want to make sure your folate status looks good, it is worth a quick conversation with your pharmacist or doctor.

What Folic acid (folate) does & food sources

Folate is needed for cell division, red blood cell formation, and healthy fetal development.

Common food sources:

  • Leafy green vegetables
  • Beans, lentils, and peas
  • Fortified grains and cereals
  • Citrus fruits

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

What to discuss with your clinician

Ask your provider whether folate monitoring or supplementation is appropriate for you — this matters most before and during pregnancy, and with long-term use of certain seizure or arthritis medications.

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

Supplement considerations

Folate needs are individual. With some medications (for example, methotrexate), folic acid is often prescribed deliberately on a specific schedule — follow your prescriber's instructions rather than adding 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: High-dose folic acid can mask vitamin B12 deficiency, so the two are often evaluated together.

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

References (2)
  1. Shils ME, Olson JA, Shike M, Ross AC, eds. Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease. 9th ed. Baltimore, MD: Williams & Wilkins, 1999.
  2. Baggott JE, Morgan SL, Ha T, et al. Inhibition of folate-dependent enzymes by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Biochem J 1992;282:197-202. 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

Diclofenac Sodium, Misoprostol & nutrients: FAQs

Does Diclofenac Sodium, Misoprostol deplete FOLIC ACID?
Diclofenac Sodium, Misoprostol has been associated with lower FOLIC ACID 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 Diclofenac Sodium, Misoprostol long-term, ask your healthcare provider whether checking your FOLIC ACID status is appropriate.
Should I take a supplement because I take Diclofenac Sodium, Misoprostol?
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 Diclofenac Sodium, Misoprostol?
No — never stop a prescribed medication because of a nutrient association. Diclofenac Sodium, Misoprostol 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 Diclofenac Sodium, Misoprostol and your nutrition?

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Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Nutrient depletion records for Diclofenac Sodium, Misoprostol 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.