Combining prescription or over-the-counter medications with dietary supplements could be dangerous, new research has shared.
Scientists have found that specific dietary supplements can affect the absorption, excretion or metabolism of certain medications, meaning people can get too much or too little of the medication you need.
Dietary supplements are products that contain nutrients or other substances that are intended to supplement your diet
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They include minerals, vitamins and other substances, including amino acids, botanicals, and botanical-derived ingredients.
In the US, millions of adults take dietary supplement alongisde prescription medications, data has revealed.
However, researchers have now said that mixing dietary supplements and medications could be harmful, and in some cases even life-threatening.
The herbal supplement St. John’s wort has been found to impact the effectiveness of some medications, such as treatments for organ transplants, birth control pills and drugs for depression, HIV/AIDS and heart disease.
Experts have highlighted that children are particularly at risk of being harmed if they take a combination of both supplements and medications because their metabolisms are unique.
Women who are breastfeeding or pregnant are also at risk of harm if they take both dietary supplements and medication.
Dietary supplements do not have to be reviewed by the FDA for effectiveness before they hit the market.
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However, the FDA can act if they deem a dietary supplement to be unsafe or misleading from its branding.
In addition, the FDA can take enforcement actions if dietary supplements are unlawfully marketed as drugs, for example if they say they the product can diagnose, mitigate, treat, cure, or prevent a disease.
People are advised to speak to a healthcare professional before taking dietary supplements and medications at the same time.
