Doxorubicin & Nutrient Depletion
Also searched as Doxil, Adriamycin, Rubex. What the clinical evidence reports, what it may mean, and what to discuss with your pharmacist.
Doxorubicin has been associated with depletion of RIBOFLAVIN. This does not mean a deficiency will occur — it means these are worth knowing about and, if you take Doxorubicin long-term, worth raising with your pharmacist or healthcare provider.
Take more than one medication? Open the checker with Doxorubicin pre-loaded and add the rest to see overlapping nutrient signals.
Reported nutrient depletions with Doxorubicin
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.
RIBOFLAVIN
Insufficient EvidenceDOXORUBICIN (Adriamycin, Rubex)
Preliminary evidence indicates that doxorubicin interacts with riboflavin by forming complexes, competing for tissue binding sites, reducing conversion to flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD, the active form of riboflavin), and increasing urinary excretion. These effects may contribute to cardiac and muscle toxicity associated with doxorubicin, but data in humans are lacking.
Riboflavin is a B vitamin your body uses to turn food into energy and keep muscles and organs running properly. Early laboratory research suggests doxorubicin may interfere with riboflavin in a few ways, including binding to it directly, competing for the same spots in body tissues, slowing its conversion to the active form your cells can use, and nudging the kidneys to excrete more of it. That said, we are talking about preliminary, lab-level findings with very little human data, so no one knows yet whether this actually matters clinically. If you are on doxorubicin and curious whether any of this applies to you, it is worth raising with your oncologist or pharmacist.
What Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) does & food sources
Riboflavin helps the body produce energy and process other B vitamins.
Common food sources:
- Dairy products and eggs
- Lean meats
- Fortified grains
- Green vegetables
HelloPharmacist pharmacist-reviewed education — separate from the licensed record above.
What to discuss with your clinician
Deficiency is uncommon with a varied diet; ask your provider if you have persistent mouth-corner cracking, sore tongue, or unexplained fatigue on a long-term associated medication.
HelloPharmacist pharmacist-reviewed education — separate from the licensed record above.
Supplement considerations
Riboflavin is water-soluble and excess is excreted (it turns urine bright yellow — harmless).
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.
Learn more about this nutrient: Riboflavin — uses, safety & interactions
References (4)
- Pinto J, Raiczyk GB, Huang YP, Rivlin RS. New approaches to the possible prevention of side effects of chemotherapy by nutrition. Cancer 1986;58:1911-4.. PubMed
- Ogura R, Ueta H, Hino Y, et al. Riboflavin deficiency caused by treatment with adriamycin. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol 1991;37:473-7.. PubMed
- Raiczyk GB, Pinto J. Inhibition of flavin metabolism by adriamycin in skeletal muscle. Biochem Pharmacol 1988;37:1741-4.. PubMed
- Pinto J, Huang YP, Pelliccione N, Rivlin RS. Adriamycin inhibits flavin synthesis in heart: possible relation to cardiotoxicity of anthracyclines (abstract). Clin Res 1983;31;467A.
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 Doxorubicin
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.
Doxorubicin & nutrients: FAQs
Does Doxorubicin deplete RIBOFLAVIN?
Should I take a supplement because I take Doxorubicin?
Should I stop taking Doxorubicin?
Where does this information come from?
Questions about Doxorubicin and your nutrition?
Ask a licensed pharmacist — free, no appointment needed.
Sources & How We Checked
Nutrient depletion records for Doxorubicin 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.