Phenolphthalein

Brand Names: Alophen, Ex-Lax, Feen-a-mint, Modane

Clinical Names: Phenolphthalein

Summary

generic name: Phenolphthalein

tradenames: Alophen, Ex-Lax, Feen-a-mint and Modane and other over-the-counter laxatives.

type of drug: Laxative.

used to treat: Constipation.

overview of interactions:
• nutrient affected by drug: Calcium

• nutrient affected by drug: Potassium

• nutrient affected by drug: Vitamin D



Interactions

nutrient affected by drug: Calcium

• mechanism: Long term use of phenolphthalein impairs calcium absorption and can cause calcium deficiency.
(Roe DA. 1985:154-157.)

• nutritional support: Individuals taking phenolphthalein, especially for periods of greater than two months, would benefit from supplementation with 1000-1500 mg calcium per day. As always it would be valuable to consult with the prescribing physician regarding any supplements being taken at the same time as prescription medications.

nutrient affected by drug: Potassium

• mechanism: Phenolphthalein may induce potassium depletion.
(Fleming BJ, et al. Ann Intern Med 1975 Jul;83(1):60-62.)

• nutritional support: Supplemental potassium may be necessary in some patients. However, increasing the daily consumption of fruit can be the most effective way to obtain the potassium supplementation needed to make up for depletion due to phenolphthalein. In fact, the levels of potassium available through fruit will usually exceed those found in most potassium supplements since they cannot legally exceed 99 mg each.

nutrient affected by drug: Vitamin D

• mechanism: Long term use of phenolphthalein can cause vitamin D deficiency.
(Roe DA. 1985:154-157)

• nutritional support: Vitamin D supplementation, with a safe dosage for a typical adult being 400 IU per day, may be beneficial for individuals taking phenolphthalein. Making sure one gets adequate exposure to the direct sunlight is the easiest way to maintain healthy levels of active vitamin D.

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Do not rely solely on the information in this article.

The information presented in Interactions is for informational and educational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, case reports, and/or traditional usage with sources as cited in each topic. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals and different individuals with the same medical conditions with the same symptoms will often require differing treatments. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with conventional medical therapies, including prescription drugs or over-the-counter medications, is also available. Consult your physician, an appropriately trained healthcare practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health concern or medical problem before using any herbal products or nutritional supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications and/or before attempting to independently treat a medical condition using supplements, herbs, remedies, or other forms of self-care.


References

Fleming BJ, Genuth SM, Gould AB, Kamionkowski MD. Effects of potassium and sodium replacement on the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Ann Intern Med 1975 Jul;83(1):60-62.
Abstract: A patients with marked chronic hypokalemia (potassium, 1.7 to 2;3 meg/litre) and sodium depletion secondary to lazative abuse and dietary inadequacy was studied with respect to the renin-aldosterone system during sequential potassium and potassium-plus-sodium replacement. Extreme hyperreninemia of 20 Goldblatt units X 10-minus 4 was reduced to 0.9 with potassium replacement alone. Aldosteron excretion (15.8 mug/24 h) was initially low for a sodium-deprived state and high for a potassium-deprived state; it increased with potassium administration, but this rise was opposed by decreases in renin secretion induced by potassium and sodium administration. The results provide clinical confirmation of a dual effect of potassium on aldosterone secretion, with renin as a mediator.

Roe DA. Drug-induced Nutritional Deficiencies. Second Edition. Westport, CT: Avi Publishing, 1985:154-157.