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Anticonvulsant Medications - Barbiturates
Nutrients
Depleted by Anticonvulsant Medications
Barbiturates
Nutrients Depleted
Calcium1
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.3,6,7
Vitamin B12
(Cobalamin)2
Deficiency is associated with anemia, neurologic symptoms like tingling (pins
and needles) or diminished sensory perception, sore tongue, weakness,
irritability, confusion, impaired memory, and personality
changes.3,4,7
Vitamin B9 (Folic
Acid)2
Effects of deficiency include increased incidence of certain birth defects.
Prolonged deficiency leads to anemia and possibly heart
disease.3,4,5
Vitamin
D1
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.3,4,6,7
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. References
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1. | Roe, DA. Drug-Induced Nutritional Deficiencies. Second Edition.
Westport, CT, Avi Publishing, p. 37, 57, 1985. |
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2. | Reynolds, EH. et al. Anti-convulsant therapy, megaloblastic
hematopoiesis, and folic acid metabolism. Quart. J. Med. 35:521-537,
1966. |
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3. | Fauci, A. ed. et. al. Harrison's Principles of Internal
Medicine. Fourteenth Edition. New York, Mc-Graw-Hill Companies Health
Professional Division, 1998. |
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4. | National Research Council, Recommended Dietary Allowances. Tenth
Edition. Washington, DC, National Academy Press, 1989. |
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5. | International Life Sciences Institute, Present Knowledge in
Nutrition. Seventh Edition. Washington, DC, ILSI Press,
1996. |
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6. | Institute of Medicine, Dietary Reference Intakes. Washington,
DC, National Academy Press, 1997. |
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7. | Kirschmann, G. and Kirschmann, J. Nutrition Almanac. Fourth
Edition. McGraw-Hill, 1996.
Copyright © 2000 Integrative Medicine
Communications
The publisher does not accept any responsibility for the
accuracy of the information or the consequences arising from the application,
use, or misuse of any of the information contained herein, including any injury
and/or damage to any person or property as a matter of product liability,
negligence, or otherwise. No warranty, expressed or implied, is made in regard
to the contents of this material. No claims or endorsements are made for any
drugs or compounds currently marketed or in investigative use. This material is
not intended as a guide to self-medication. The reader is advised to discuss the
information provided here with a doctor, pharmacist, nurse, or other authorized
healthcare practitioner and to check product information (including package
inserts) regarding dosage, precautions, warnings, interactions, and
contraindications before administering any drug, herb, or supplement discussed
herein.
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