Dietary supplements are defined as products “intended to supplement the diet that contain at least one of the following ingredients: vitamin, mineral, herb or botanical (including extracts of herbs or botanicals), amino acid, metabolite, or any combination thereof.” Unlike medicines dietary supplements are not intended to treat, diagnose, prevent, or cure diseases. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is the federal agency that oversees both supplements and medicines, but the FDA regulations for dietary supplements are different from those for prescription or over-the-counter medicines. The FDA has established good manufacturing practices (GMPs) that companies must follow to help ensure the identity, purity, strength, and composition of their dietary supplements. Further, dietary supplements must be labeled as such and may only be used for oral administration, whether as tablets, capsules, powders, or liquids.
Herbal Supplements
Healthline provides examples of herbal supplements known to cause adverse reactions with certain prescription drugs, some of which include:
- Fenugreek: is known to interact with diabetes medications, as it may lower blood sugar, and may be dangers when combined with anticoagulants because it can slow blood clotting.
- Melatonin: should not be mixed with sedatives (e.g., benzodiazepines, narcotics, and some antidepressants) as it can exacerbate symptoms of lethargy. It should also be avoided when taking anticoagulant medications because it may slow blood clotting, increasing one’s risk of bleeding and bruising.
- St. John’s wort: researchers indicate it should not be taken with birth control or blood thinners. This should also be avoided when taking antidepressants as it may cause an increase in serotonin which can lead to seizures and muscle rigidity.
- Echinacea: should not be taken while on prednisone because echinacea stimulates the immune system, while the steroid prednisone decreases the immune system, interfering with its efficacy.
- Schisandra: this may increase the toxicity and therefore the effects of certain drugs.
- Gingko biloba: be cautious when taking this with blood thinners such as fish oil supplements, ibuprofen, naproxen, or aspirin, as it slows blood clotting which increases the risk of bruising and/ or bleeding. Ginkgo biloba may decrease the effectiveness of certain antidepressants.
Among U.S. adults aged 20 and over, 57.6% used any dietary supplement in the past 30 days, according to data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. While some dietary supplements are known to interact with certain conventional medications, only about 25% of people who take dietary supplements tell their health care providers.
Treatment In Calabasas
Calabasas is a city in California. It is a well-known suburb of Los Angeles, located west of the San Fernando Valley and north of the Santa Monica Mountains. Over the past decade, the city of Calabasas has grown in its reputation for luxury as well as for privacy which makes it a hidden gem for residential living for society’s elite, and one of the most desirable destinations in Los Angeles County. It is also home to a plethora of highly qualified mental health clinicians providing an array of therapeutic services and treatment options.
The information above is provided for the use of informational purposes only. The above content is not to be substituted for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment, as in no way is it intended as an attempt to practice medicine, give specific medical advice, including, without limitation, advice concerning the topic of mental health. As such, please do not use any material provided above to disregard professional advice or delay seeking treatment.
