Drug-induced nutrient depletion

Quinacrine & Nutrient Depletion

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

Medical content reviewed by Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS · Last reviewed July 2026
1Nutrient association
Insufficient EvidenceHighest rating
The bottom line

Quinacrine 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 Quinacrine long-term, worth raising with your pharmacist or healthcare provider.

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The evidence

Reported nutrient depletions with Quinacrine

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 Evidence

QUINACRINE

Quinacrine might reduce active riboflavin levels; however, the clinical significance of this is unclear.
Quinacrine has structural similarities to riboflavin and can interfere with its conversion to the active form flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD). It's suggested that this could lead to riboflavin deficiency in humans, but it may also contribute to the therapeutic effects of quinacrine against malaria. The clinical significance isn't known.
Taking Quinacrine? Insufficient evidence to rate; clinical significance is not known. ⓘ
Dr. Brian Staiger, Pharm.D explains

Riboflavin is a B vitamin your body needs to produce energy and keep cells working properly. Quinacrine's chemical structure is similar enough to riboflavin that it may interfere with the step where your body converts riboflavin into its active, usable form. That said, the evidence here is genuinely thin, and researchers do not yet know whether this matters clinically for most people taking quinacrine. If you have concerns, it is worth bringing up with your pharmacist or doctor.

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 (3)
  1. Hardman JG, Limbird LL, Molinoff PB, eds. Goodman and Gillman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 9th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill, 1996.
  2. Raiczyk GB, Dutta P, Pinto J. Chlorpromazine and quinacrine inhibit flavin adenine dinucleotide biosynthesis in skeletal muscle. Physiologist 1985;28:322.
  3. Dutta P, Pinto J, Rivlin R. Antimalarial effects of riboflavin deficiency. Lancet 1985;2:1040-3. 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.
Keep exploring

More about Quinacrine

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

Quinacrine & nutrients: FAQs

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

Ask a licensed pharmacist — free, no appointment needed.

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Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Nutrient depletion records for Quinacrine 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.