You’re making all the right moves to enhance your well-being—getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, and eating a balanced diet. However, experts caution that the medications you take daily might be hindering your efforts.

Ian Budd, a prescribing pharmacist at Chemist4U, points out that both prescription and over-the-counter medications can interfere with how our bodies absorb essential vitamins and nutrients from food.

These medications may also suppress appetite, disrupt metabolic processes, and, as recent studies suggest, potentially cause vitamin deficiencies.

“Different medications can interact with our bodies in various ways, depleting essential vitamins and minerals. It can be overwhelming to figure out what is best for you,” Budd notes.

According to Budd, individuals taking multiple medications, especially those with weakened immune systems like the elderly, as well as those with existing nutritional deficiencies, are at greater risk.

“The symptoms of nutrient deficiencies can be annoyingly ambiguous: ongoing fatigue, brain fog, muscle weakness, mood swings, or just an overall sense of not feeling right without knowing exactly why,” Budd explains.

‘And often more obvious symptoms like muscle cramps or frequent infections are mistaken for signs of ageing or stress rather than nutrient deficiencies.’  

Read on to find out some of the key deficiencies linked to everyday medications, and the steps to take which will help boost your intake of essential nutrients this winter… 

Vitamins and minerals are nutrients your body needs in small amounts to work properly and stay healthy. But common prescription and over-the-counter medications taken by millions of Brits can interfere with optimum levels 

PPIs for acid reflux and heartburn

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are among the most widely used medications in the world, with 73million NHS prescriptions dispensed in England alone in 2022-23. 

Also available over-the-counter, they reduce the amount of acid in the stomach, limiting the distressing symptoms of heartburn.

But GPs have long warned that while the pills can beat heartburn symptoms quickly, ideally they should be used for only a month or two. 

This is because over time they can interfere with the body’s ability to absorb essential minerals and vitamins. 

‘The long-term use of acid reflux medicines, like omeprazole, can deplete vitamin B12 levels, which plays a key role red blood cell formation, as well as sodium and magnesium, which can cause fatigue,’ Budd explained. 

Research shows that taking the drugs long-term may even raise the risk of developing the bone-thinning condition osteoporosis by 20 per cent. 

This is because PPIs hinder the stomach’s ability to absorb calcium—a mineral that is vital for healthy bones. 

PPIs have also been associated with risks of deficiencies of vitamin B12 which is essential for nerve function, vitamin C, needed for growth and repair, iron and magnesium, leading to potential issues with sleep and energy. 

One 2023 study even found that 100 per cent of long-term pantoprazole users, a prescription drug that is also available at lower doses over-the-counter, were vitamin D deficient, compared to just 30 per cent of individuals not on the drug—increasing the risk of bone disorders. 

Metformin is taken to improve insulin sensitivity in people with type 2 and gestational diabetes or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

Metformin for diabetes 

‘Metformin for diabetes can also affect vitamin B12 absorption,’ Budd explained. 

This can make people feel sluggish, and cause symptoms that affect the brain and nervous system—known as neurological symptoms—including numbness or tingling in the hands and feet, muscle weakness, depression, anxiety, confusion and has even been linked to dementia. 

Metformin is commonly used to treat type 2 and gestational diabetes and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

It works by lowering blood sugar levels by improving the way the body handles insulin.  

The NHS now lists vitamin B12 deficiency as a common adverse reaction to the drug, which is thought to affect up to one in 10 patients. 

And whilst the exact mechanism is not yet fully understood, it is thought that it could be because of interference with binding of the vitamin to receptors in the gut, pointing to why people with GI issues such as Crohn’s disease are at higher risk of deficiency.  

The NHS advises anyone taking the drug who experiences extreme fatigue, muscle weakness, changes in the appearance of their tongue, mouth ulcers, or vision problems to contact their doctor or call 111 right away. 

If a vitamin B12 deficiency is identified, doctors may prescribe B12 supplements to boost levels and treat symptoms.    

Statins to lower cholesterol 

Research has revealed that statins can cut the risk of the degenerative brain condition by a third

Statins are one one of the most commonly prescribed drugs in the UK with over 9million people taking them to ward off heart attack and stroke. 

The drug works by lowering the levels of ‘bad’ low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol produced by the liver—reducing the chances of fatty plaques forming in and blocking the arteries.

Headaches, nausea and diarrhoea are well-known mild side effects from taking statins. But experts warn statin use can also significantly deplete levels of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), an antioxidant which plays a vital role in energy production within cells. 

‘This can make you feel sluggish or low on energy,’ Budd explained, as the enzyme statins inhibits is also required to produce mevalones, a key building block for CoQ10. 

This is believed to cause cramping, muscle pain, and weakness which are reported by many statin users.

But for most, a diverse diet should be enough to keep CoQ10 levels high, with the richest sources coming from oily fish—such as sardines and mackerel—and organ meats like liver and kidney. 

Everyday painkillers for everyday ailments 

‘Even everyday painkillers like aspirin can interfere with folic acid and vitamin C, while antibiotics can wipe out beneficial gut bacteria that produce vitamin K which you need for blood clotting to help wounds heal,’ Budd warned. 

Whilst it’s well known by now that long term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NAIDs) like aspirin or ibuprofen can cause damage to the lining on the gut, including bleeding and even infection of vital organs. 

This can lead to an iron deficiency known as anemia, which causes extreme failure, weakness and shortness of breath. 

Over the counter painkillers, like paracetamol, are used by millions of Britons everyday to deal with headaches, muscle pain, or fevers—but can cause permanent damage to the liver

Regular paracetamol use can also wreak havoc on the liver as the organ struggles to process levels of toxic waste, resulting in permanent damage 

Diuretics for high blood pressure 

‘Diuretics can flush out potassium and magnesium, which can cause muscle cramps, twitches and weakness,’ the pharmacist warned. 

This is because they work by flushing all the fluid out of the body, taking important electrolytes with them, which can cause imbalances.

Potassium has many important functions and a drop in the essential mineral can affect your ability to generate a nerve impulse which controls everything from your muscles to your heartbeat. 

If your blood levels of potassium are too high, your heart may become dilated. This can weaken it’s contractions and produce an abnormal heartbeat.

Likewise, low blood potassium levels—or hypokalemia—can affect your heartbeat. When your heart does not beat properly, it can’t effectively pump blood to your brain, other organs, and muscles.

Research shows that up to 80 per cent of patients taking diuretics are at risk of hypokalemia. 

Magnesium deficiency can also occur, but eating a diet high in dark leafy vegetables, nuts and grains can help boost heart health and ward off disease. 

Most people should get all the nutrients they need by having a varied and balanced diet, although some people may need to take extra supplements

How to take everyday meds safely and look after your vitamin levels  

‘It is always worth discussing any vitamins and supplements with your GP or pharmacist, particularly if you’re on long-term, medication, as they can simplify some of the more difficult interactions,’ Budd advised. 

‘They can also advise on specific nutrients you might need and the appropriate doses.’ 

Alongside speaking to your GP, Budd says that eating a balanced healthy diet, supplementing with things like probiotic yoghurts whilst you’re taking antibiotics or eating more leafy greens to boost folate levels can help keep essential vitamins and minerals at optimum levels.