Almost half of Americans have taken a prescription during the
past 30 days, and nearly 60 percent of Americans take some form of dietary herbal
supplement regularly. Medications and herbal supplements aren't always
compatible, though, so here’s what you need to know about mixing prescription
drugs and herbal supplements.
Infographic Text
Almost half of Americans have taken a
prescription during the past 30 days. Nearly 71 percent of Americans take some
form of dietary herbal supplement regularly. Americans bought more than $7
billion in herbal supplements in 2016.
Be Aware - Supplements Change Things
Some supplements are useful alternatives to
medications. Your doctor can advise you about herbal supplement safety,
especially when you take medications. Ask about possible interactions when you
get a new prescription.
When taken with prescription drugs, herbal
supplements may decrease the effectiveness of your medications, changing how
they’re absorbed or metabolized. They can even block the medication’s intended
effect altogether, making it useless to you.
Supplements can also increase both the
strength of your medication and its unpleasant side effects. This can be
dangerous.
Consider Everything You Take
Over-the-counter medications such as aspirin,
decongestants and allergy medicines can also interact with supplements in a
harmful way.
Keep Accurate Records
Carry a list of medications and supplements
you take in case of emergency. One easy way to keep track is to take a picture
of the list or use a notes app on your smartphone.
Always inform your doctor about what you’re
taking, how much you take, and when.
When something changes, update your records,
share the info with your doctor, and be sure to ask about potential side
effects.
Plan Ahead for Surgery
If you’re having surgery, consult your doctor
about whether you need to stop taking any of your current medications or
supplements.
For instance, some herbal supplements have
side effects you may not be aware of, such as thinning the blood, which could
cause complications during surgery. This is because they may affect your
response to anesthesia or IV medications given during the procedure.
More Good Practices
· Talk to your Pharmacist
· Read labels carefully
· Always read the “Supplement Facts” label
carefully to see all the ingredients in the product; some might be harmful if
mixed with medications.
Your pharmacist is another good resource to
ask about possible interactions between your supplements and medication—both
prescription and over-the-counter.
Sources:
Anthem BlueCross
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
The Council for Responsible Nutrition
The American Botanical Council
The American Botanical Council
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