Pharmacist-built clinical tool

Does My Medication Cause Nutrient Depletion?

Some prescription and over-the-counter medications can lower your levels of important vitamins and minerals over time. Search your medication below to see what it may deplete — with evidence ratings and what to discuss with your pharmacist.

Medical content reviewed by Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS · Last reviewed July 2026
971Medications
32Nutrients
8,447Depletion records
Add your medication(s)Search above and add up to 10 — prescription or over-the-counter.
See what they may depleteVitamins and minerals with reported associations, each with an evidence rating.
Know what to askFood sources, labs worth discussing, and supplement cautions — talking points for your pharmacist.

Every medication and nutrient in our licensed database also has its own page — browse the full A–Z directory, or start from a nutrient like vitamin B12 or magnesium.

At a glance

Most commonly implicated nutrients

Ranked by how many medications in our licensed database carry a reported association. Open a nutrient to see its medications.

FOLIC ACID 481 medications
THIAMINE 312 medications
VITAMIN B12 310 medications
COENZYME Q10 288 medications
VITAMIN K 238 medications
VITAMIN B6 234 medications
RIBOFLAVIN 225 medications
MAGNESIUM 223 medications
BIOTIN 213 medications
VITAMIN C 187 medications
Browse everything

Medication & nutrient directory

Every medication and nutrient in our licensed depletion database, A to Z. Each one links to its full report page.

Medications Nutrients
← Previous Page 3 of 3 Next →
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

Nutrient depletion FAQs

Can medications really deplete nutrients?
Yes — some medications can lower levels of certain vitamins, minerals, or other nutrients over time, by reducing absorption, increasing loss through the kidneys or gut, or changing how the body uses them. Well-known examples include metformin (vitamin B12) and proton pump inhibitors like omeprazole (magnesium and B12). How much it matters varies a lot between medications and between people.
Does an entry in this checker mean I am deficient?
No. An entry means a depletion has been reported or studied with that medication — it does not mean it happens to everyone, or that it has happened to you. Dose, how long you have taken the medication, your diet, and your overall health all influence the actual risk. Think of the results as conversation starters for your pharmacist or doctor, not a diagnosis.
Should I take a supplement if my medication appears here?
Not automatically. Supplements are not risk-free — some interact with medications (for example, calcium, magnesium, iron, and zinc can reduce absorption of certain antibiotics and thyroid medication), and some can be risky in kidney disease. The better first step is usually to ask your healthcare provider whether testing or dietary changes make sense for you.
What labs should I ask about?
It depends on the nutrient. Some, like vitamin B12, vitamin D, potassium, magnesium, and sodium, have routine blood tests; others, like CoQ10, are not usually tested in everyday practice. Each nutrient entry in this tool notes what is commonly discussed. Your provider can decide whether testing is appropriate — routine testing is not necessary for everyone.
Can supplements interact with my medications?
Yes — that is one of the main reasons not to start supplements blindly. Interactions can change how much of a medication your body absorbs or how it works. You can check specific products and ingredients against your medications with our drug–supplement interaction checker, and confirm anything important with your pharmacist.
Where does this information come from, and how is it reviewed?
The depletion records come from the Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center) database — an evidence-graded clinical reference used by pharmacists and clinicians — and are displayed as published, with their evidence ratings and citations. The surrounding plain-English education is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists.

Not sure what your results mean?

Ask a licensed pharmacist — free, no appointment needed.

Ask a pharmacist
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Nutrient depletion records are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database, and are displayed as published with their citations. The plain-English education is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists.

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

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.