Drug-induced nutrient depletion

Penbutolol Sulfate & Nutrient Depletion

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

1Nutrient association
Insufficient EvidenceHighest rating
The bottom line

Penbutolol Sulfate has been associated with depletion of COENZYME Q10. This does not mean a deficiency will occur — it means these are worth knowing about and, if you take Penbutolol Sulfate long-term, worth raising with your pharmacist or healthcare provider.

Ask a pharmacist about Penbutolol Sulfate Free · usually answered within 24 hours

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

The evidence

Reported nutrient depletions with Penbutolol Sulfate

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.

COENZYME Q10

Insufficient Evidence

BETA-BLOCKERS

Beta-blockers can decrease endogenous levels of coenzyme Q10.

Beta-blockers are thought to inhibit coenzyme Q10 mitochondrial enzymes and decrease endogenous levels of coenzyme Q10. However, it is not clear if this reduction is clinically significant. There is no reliable evidence that coenzyme Q10 depletion contributes to beta-blocker side effects.
Taking Penbutolol Sulfate? Insufficient evidence to rate; clinical significance is not known.
Dr. Brian Staiger, Pharm.D explains

Coenzyme Q10 is a compound your cells use to produce energy, and it plays a role in keeping the heart and muscles working well. Penbutolol is a beta-blocker, and there is some research suggesting that drugs in this class may interfere with certain mitochondrial enzymes involved in making coenzyme Q10, potentially lowering the body's own supply. That said, the evidence here is rated insufficient, meaning scientists have not yet established whether this reduction actually causes any real-world problems. If you have concerns, it is worth bringing up with your pharmacist or doctor rather than starting any supplement on your own.

What Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) does & food sources

CoQ10 helps cells produce energy and acts as an antioxidant; heart and muscle tissue use it heavily.

Common food sources:

  • Organ meats and fatty fish
  • Whole grains
  • Nuts and seeds

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

What to discuss with your clinician

There is no routine blood test for CoQ10 in everyday practice. If you have new, unexplained muscle symptoms on a medication linked to CoQ10 (statins are the best-known example), talk to your prescriber before changing anything — symptoms have many possible causes and your prescriber has several options.

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

Supplement considerations

CoQ10 is generally well tolerated, but evidence for supplementing (for example, for statin muscle symptoms) is mixed. It may also modestly affect warfarin — check with your pharmacist before combining.

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: Do not stop a prescribed medication because of this association — discuss any symptoms with your prescriber first.

Learn more about this nutrient: Coenzyme Q10 — uses, safety & interactions

References (1)
  1. Kishi H, Kishi T, Folkers K. Bioenergetics in clinical medicine. III. Inhibition of coenzyme Q10 enzymes by clinically used anti-hypertensive drugs. Res Commun Chem Pathol Pharmacol 1975;12:533-40.
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

Penbutolol Sulfate & nutrients: FAQs

Does Penbutolol Sulfate deplete COENZYME Q10?
Penbutolol Sulfate has been associated with lower COENZYME Q10 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 Penbutolol Sulfate long-term, ask your healthcare provider whether checking your COENZYME Q10 status is appropriate.
Should I take a supplement because I take Penbutolol Sulfate?
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 Penbutolol Sulfate?
No — never stop a prescribed medication because of a nutrient association. Penbutolol Sulfate 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 Penbutolol Sulfate and your nutrition?

Ask a licensed pharmacist — free, no appointment needed.

Ask a pharmacist
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Nutrient depletion records for Penbutolol Sulfate 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.