Biomaterial Database

Micronutrient supplements: toxicity and drug interactions. 1990

N W Flodin

Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile 36688.

Self-prescribed use of single micronutrients in excessive or pharmacologic dosage, without professional medical supervision, is on the increase. This raises potential problems of chronic toxicity and adverse interactions with prescribed and over-the-counter drugs. These questions are of special concern in the elderly, who utilize micronutrient supplements the most and at the same time have the greatest incidence of chronic illness and take the largest amount and variety of drugs. This review examines the toxicity and drug interactions of the thirteen vitamins and the trace elements chromium, selenium, and zinc.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D002857	Chromium	A trace element that plays a role in glucose metabolism. It has the atomic symbol Cr, atomic number 24, and atomic weight 52. According to the Fourth Annual Report on Carcinogens (NTP85-002,1985), chromium and some of its compounds have been listed as known carcinogens.
D004347	Drug Interactions	The action of a drug that may affect the activity, metabolism, or toxicity of another drug.	Drug Interaction,Interaction, Drug,Interactions, Drug
D004366	Nonprescription Drugs	Medicines that can be sold legally without a DRUG PRESCRIPTION.	Drugs, Non-Prescription,Non-Prescription Drug,Nonprescription Drug,OTC Drug,OTC Drugs,Over-the-Counter Drug,Over-the-Counter Drugs,Patent Medicine,Patent Medicines,Drugs, Nonprescription,Medicines, Patent,Non-Prescription Drugs,Drug, Non-Prescription,Drug, Nonprescription,Drug, OTC,Drug, Over-the-Counter,Drugs, Non Prescription,Drugs, OTC,Drugs, Over-the-Counter,Medicine, Patent,Non Prescription Drug,Non Prescription Drugs,Over the Counter Drug,Over the Counter Drugs
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D012643	Selenium	An element with the atomic symbol Se, atomic number 34, and atomic weight 78.97. It is an essential micronutrient for mammals and other animals but is toxic in large amounts. Selenium protects intracellular structures against oxidative damage. It is an essential component of GLUTATHIONE PEROXIDASE.	Selenium-80,Selenium 80
D014815	Vitamins	Organic substances that are required in small amounts for maintenance and growth, but which cannot be manufactured by the human body.	Vitamin
D015032	Zinc	A metallic element of atomic number 30 and atomic weight 65.38. It is a necessary trace element in the diet, forming an essential part of many enzymes, and playing an important role in protein synthesis and in cell division. Zinc deficiency is associated with ANEMIA, short stature, HYPOGONADISM, impaired WOUND HEALING, and geophagia. It is known by the symbol Zn.