Vitamin D deficiency is becoming a widespread health concern, and according to a 2009 report in the "Archives of Internal Medicine," as much as 77 percent of the American population is vitamin D deficient. Vitamin D is a fat soluble nutrient that is essential for bone health. It can be created naturally through the skin when exposed to the Ultra-violet B rays from the sun. While a poor diet and a lack of exposure to the sun are the primary causes of vitamin D deficiency, some medications can cause you to become deficient.
Anti-seizure Medications
Anti-seizure or anticonvulsant medications, such as phenobarbital, Dilantin, Mysoline, and Depakote reduce the levels of vitamin D in your body. Anticonvulsants cause the liver to remove an increased amount of vitamin D from the body. This reduction of vitamin D can lead to bone weakening and bone loss and can cause an increased risk of osteoporosis in people on long-term anticonvulsant treatment.
Bile Acid Sequestrants
Bile acid sequestrants, or seguestering agents, such as cholestyramine, or Questran, Cholestipo and Colestid, work to lower cholesterol by binding bile acids in the intestine and preventing their absorption. These bile acids absorb the fat soluble vitamins, such as vitamin D. Because the absorption of vitamin D is affected, long-term therapy can create vitamin D deficiency. This deficiency can lead to weakened bones and muscle pain.
Oral Corticosteroids
Oral corticosteroids, like prednisone, treat autoimmune and inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and asthma. These medications deplete and interfere with the function and absorption of vitamin D. If you are on long-term corticosteroid therapy, talk with your doctor about a vitamin D supplement plan to maintain optimal levels of vitamin D and reduce the risk of bone diseases, such as osteomalacia, a softening of the bone because of vitamin D deficiency..
Weight Loss Medications
Medications like Orlistat or Alli bind to fat and prevent its absorption. Because vitamin D is fat soluble, these medications also block the absorption of the vitamin.
If you are taking these medications, consult with your physician and have regular checks of vitamin D levels. Vitamin D supplementation may be required for anyone taking these medications to prevent vitamin D deficiency and bone loss.
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