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.
Potential nutrient considerations for your selected medication
1 medication checked · 2 nutrients with reported associations. These are talking points for your care team — not a diagnosis.
BETA-CAROTENE
Insignificant DepletionCOLCHICINE
Limited evidence suggests that short-term treatment with colchicine 1.9-3.9 mg daily can reduce absorption and serum levels of beta-carotene. Theoretically. this is due to disruption of intestinal mucosal function. Long-term use of 1 to 2 mg daily does not affect beta-carotene levels. Advise patients that this is unlikely to be clinically significant.
What Vitamin A does & food sources
Vitamin A supports vision, immune function, and skin health.
Common food sources:
- Liver and fish oils
- Dairy and eggs
- Orange and yellow vegetables (as beta-carotene)
- Leafy greens
HelloPharmacist pharmacist-reviewed education — separate from the licensed record above.
What to discuss with your clinician
Ask your provider before supplementing vitamin A — status testing is not routine, and intake from food plus multivitamins is often already adequate.
HelloPharmacist pharmacist-reviewed education — separate from the licensed record above.
Supplement considerations
Vitamin A is fat-soluble and accumulates; excess is harmful (and dangerous in pregnancy). Prefer food sources unless a clinician advises otherwise.
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: Avoid high-dose vitamin A in pregnancy or when trying to conceive unless a clinician directs it.
References (2)
- Race TF, Paes IC, Faloon WW. Intestinal malabsorption induced by oral colchicine. Comparison with neomycin and cathartic agents. Am J Med Sci 1970;259:32-41. PubMed
- Ehrenfeld M, Levy M, Sharon P, et al. Gastrointestinal effects of long-term colchicine therapy in patients with recurrent polyserositis (Familial Mediterranean Fever). Dig Dis Sci 1982;27:723-7. PubMed
VITAMIN B12
Moderate DepletionCOLCHICINE
Colchicine in doses of 1.9-3.9 mg daily can disrupt normal intestinal mucosal function, leading to malabsorption of several nutrients, including vitamin B12. Lower doses don't seem to have a significant effect on vitamin B12 absorption after 3 years of colchicine therapy. The significance of this interaction isn't clear. Monitor vitamin B12 levels in people taking large doses of colchicine for prolonged periods. For information on foods that are rich in vitamin B12, see our chart.
What Vitamin B12 does & food sources
Vitamin B12 supports red blood cell formation, nerve function, and DNA synthesis.
Common food sources:
- Meat, poultry, and fish
- Eggs and dairy products
- Fortified cereals and nutritional yeast
HelloPharmacist pharmacist-reviewed education — separate from the licensed record above.
What to discuss with your clinician
If you take an associated medication long-term, ask your healthcare provider whether checking a vitamin B12 level (sometimes with methylmalonic acid) is appropriate — especially if you notice fatigue, numbness, tingling, or memory changes.
HelloPharmacist pharmacist-reviewed education — separate from the licensed record above.
Supplement considerations
B12 status is easy to check and low levels are usually straightforward to address, so testing before supplementing is often the sensible order. High-dose folic acid can mask a B12 deficiency, which is one reason B12 and folate questions are best sorted out together with your provider.
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: B12 deficiency can look like other conditions — do not self-diagnose from symptoms alone.
References (4)
- Race TF, Paes IC, Faloon WW. Intestinal malabsorption induced by oral colchicine. Comparison with neomycin and cathartic agents. Am J Med Sci 1970;259:32-41. PubMed
- Faloon WW, Chodos RB. Vitamin B12 absorption studies using cochicines, neomycin and continuous 57Co B12 administration. Gastroenterology 1969;56:1251.
- Webb DI, Chodos RB, Mahar CQ, et al. Mechanism of vitamin B12 malabsorption in patients receiving colchicine. N Engl J Med 1968;279:845-50.
- Ehrenfeld M, Levy M, Sharon P, et al. Gastrointestinal effects of long-term colchicine therapy in patients with recurrent polyserositis (Familial Mediterranean Fever). Dig Dis Sci 1982;27:723-7. PubMed
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.
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.
Nutrient depletion FAQs
Can medications really deplete nutrients?
Does an entry in this checker mean I am deficient?
Should I take a supplement if my medication appears here?
What labs should I ask about?
Can supplements interact with my medications?
Where does this information come from, and how is it reviewed?
Not sure what your results mean?
Ask a licensed pharmacist — free, no appointment needed.
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.
- Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center) — Evidence-graded clinical reference for drug-induced nutrient depletions, supplements, and interactions — the basis for this checker.
- 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.