People often take medications and dietary supplements together without a second thought. But according to the Food and Drug Administration, it may be wise to consider the possible effects of combining the two in order to avoid unintended consequences.
Some dietary supplements affect the potency of prescription and over-the-counter medications by changing the way the drug is absorbed, metabolized, and/or excreted, writes the FDA’s Robert Mozersky. For instance, the herbal supplement St. John’s wort can diminish the effectiveness of several drugs used to treat HIV/AIDS, heart disease, and depression, among others. And warfarin, a blood-thinning drug, may lead to stomach bleeding when combined with other blood thinners such as ginkgo biloba or aspirin.
A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention survey found that 34% of respondents reported taking some kind of dietary supplement with a prescription medicine. It may be fine to take supplements to help with nutrient intake, but dietary supplements should not be used a substitute for healthy foods that contain the same nutrients, the FDA warned.
Additionally, special care should be taken with children, because of variations in metabolism at different ages.
The FDA offers the following tips with regard to medications and dietary supplements:
1. Bring a list of all medications and supplements you are taking along with you to doctor appointments, including details about dosage and frequency.
2. Consult with your doctor before adding a new supplement to your routine.
3. Inform your doctor about any major changes in health status, such as pregnancy, breastfeeding, or surgery.
For more information, visit the FDA website.