Antituberculosis Agents

• Isoniazid

Nutrients Depleted

Calcium⁵
Osteoporosis (bone loss) is the primary symptom associated with chronic calcium deficiency. Depleted levels can also cause muscle cramps, numbness and tingling, joint pain, brittle nails, and tooth decay.^7,10,11

Probiotics / Enterobiotics¹
Probiotics refer to two or more organisms that enhance each other's growth, living in balance with one another. Altering the balance of organisms that naturally reside in the gastrointestinal tract may reduce resistance to infections and diseases. Symptoms of deficiency include gas, abdominal distress, diarrhea, and yeast infections.¹²

Vitamin B3 (Niacin)⁴
Because this nutrient plays a key role in many metabolic processes, low levels may impair the breakdown and use of starches, fats, and proteins. Symptoms of deficiency may occur within 1 to 2 months. Severely low levels of niacin cause pellagra, a condition characterized by inflammation of the skin, mental depression, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.^7,8,9

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)³
Symptoms of deficiency can develop in a relatively short period of time. They include confusion, irritability, depression, inflammation of the mouth and tongue, reddened lips, cracks at the corners of the mouth, and anemia. Over the long term, low levels of this vitamin may lead to artherosclerosis (cholesterol plaques) along blood vessel walls, which contributes to the development of heart disease.^7,8,11

Vitamin D⁵
Deficiency leads to abnormalities in the formation of bone tissue, resulting in conditions such as rickets (in children) and osteomalacia (in adults). Vitamin D deficiency interferes with calcium absorption, leading to deficiency of that nutrient with all of the associated symptoms (such as bone loss, muscle cramps, brittle nails, and tooth decay). Because this nutrient is fat-soluble, prolonged periods of deficiency are required to produce these symptoms.^7,9,10,11

Vitamin E⁶
Because this nutrient is fat-soluble, it usually takes from months to years for signs and symptoms of deficiency to appear. Depleted levels of this vitamin cause symptoms of muscle weakness, decreased reflexes, disturbances of balance and coordination, and visual impairment. Long-term deficiency may be associated with heart disease.^7,8,9,11

Vitamin K²
The major symptom of deficiency is an inability of the blood to clot properly, which may lead to excessive bleeding. Another symptom is easy bruisability. Depending on the cause of the deficiency, symptoms may appear in as early as 7 to 10 days.^7,8,9,11

Editorial Note

The selected depletions information presented here identifies some of the nutrients that may be depleted by certain medications. The signs and symptoms associated with nutrient deficiency may also indicate conditions other than nutrient deficiency. If you are experiencing any of the signs or symptoms mentioned, it does not necessarily mean that you are nutrient deficient. Nutrient depletion depends upon a number of factors, including your medical history, diet, and lifestyle as well as the length of time you have been taking the medication. Please consult your healthcare provider; he or she can best assess and address your individual healthcare needs, and determine if you are at risk for nutrient depletions from these medications as well as others not listed here.