By Bill Kalman, R.Ph., Essential Wellness Pharmacy
Have you ever been prescribed one medication and ended up with side effects from it? Did you know these may include muscle aches, leg cramps, restless legs, neuropathy, heart arrhythmia, or sleep disturbances? According to the CDC, from 2009 to 2012 in the United States, almost half of all Americans take at least one prescription medication. The FDA evaluates the safety and efficacy of every medication before its approval. This does not mean that a medication is free of side effects or will not cause health problems or harm in individuals. Many reactions are due to severe allergic reactions, improperly prescribed dosages, or an overdose by the patient. Others may simply be due to changes in the body’s absorption, excretion, or metabolism. Some side effects may lead to death, but many medications can lead to other health problems. Many effects are due to nutritional deficiencies created by the medications. Surprisingly, many of these medications are amongst the most prescribed medications in our society. What are some of the medications and the changes they cause? What can you do to prevent these from happening?
Many people take medications such as antacids, Zantac, Pepcid, Prilosec, or Nexium which lower stomach acid for digestive issues such as reflux, GERD, bloating, and gas. Lowering stomach acid has been associated with low vitamin B-12, iron and magnesium levels, and decreased calcium absorption. Low calcium absorption can lead to the development of osteopenia or osteoporosis. Low B-12 and iron levels may lead to anemia, and low B-12 alone may lead to peripheral neuropathy (nerve pain).
Another medication which can affect absorption is one of the first choices treat diabetes: metformin. Metformin causes a decrease in vitamin B-12 absorption. Once again, vitamin B-12 deficiency can lead to peripheral neuropathy, which may be misdiagnosed as diabetic neuropathy. Failure to diagnose the correct cause of the neuropathy can lead to peripheral nerve damage and central nervous system damage. Once nerve damage occurs due to the B-12 deficiency, it may be arrested but not reversed by B-12 supplementation.
Some medications change the rates of excretion of vitamins and minerals from the body. Many of these are used to treat high blood pressure. One major class that does this are loop diuretics such as hydrochlorothiazide, furosemide, and bumetanide. Diuretics cause an increased excretion of sodium. A side effect is a decrease in potassium. Potassium is a necessary mineral for heart rhythm and muscle contraction. When potassium levels are too low or too high, a patient may develop a heart arrhythmia. Since either high or low levels can cause arrhythmias, do not initiate potassium supplementation without first consulting your physician.
Changes in metabolism may be due to decreased production or activation of vitamins, co-factors in the body, or a change in detoxification, which can cause nutritional depletion. High cholesterol is often treated with statin drugs. Statin drugs decrease cholesterol production by binding to an enzyme called HMG-CoA Reductase. This binding also causes a decrease in the production of Co-enzyme Q-10, which is found in high levels in heart muscle. CoQ10 is a powerful anti-oxidant and is used by every cell in the body to produce energy, especially the heart. Low CoQ10 levels due to statin drugs can contribute to the common side effects of statin drugs such as fatigue, and muscle and joint aches.
Birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy at any age has been shown to deplete the body of vitamins and anti-oxidants, especially the B-vitamin family. This occurs through the metabolism of the hormones. The body uses B-vitamins and anti-oxidants to detoxify and remove the excess hormones. This depletion can lead to several health conditions which may include depression and neuropathy since B-vitamins are used by the body to make neurotransmitters. It is not uncommon to have a woman who is started on birth control or hormone replacement therapy to become “depressed” within a short period of time. This is due to the decrease in the neurotransmitters associated with calming.
Preventing or treating conditions caused by drug-induced nutritional deficiencies may be possible with adequate supplementation.
If you have questions regarding these or any supplementation, wellness, or compounding questions, please call us to set up a consultation. The pharmacists at Essential Wellness Pharmacy can meet with you and start you on your path to a healthier life. We are at 4625 N. University Street in Peoria, and our phone number is 309-681-8850.