Certain dietary supplements can have an effect on the absorption, metabolism, or excretion of a drug. Many substances can interact with prescription drugs and supplements, and even nutritional supplements themselves can cause drug-nutrient interactions. In excessive amounts, vitamins and minerals can act as medicines rather than nutrients. Nutrients in excessive amounts can interact with other nutrients or can even be toxic, which can affect the potency of the medicine.
It is important to be aware of the potential interactions between vitamins and supplements and medications. Changing the diet to include more foods rich in vitamins and minerals is preferred to taking vitamin or mineral supplements. It is also important to talk to a healthcare provider about the supplements you take if you recently had surgery or will soon have surgery, as certain ingredients in supplements can alter laboratory tests or have negative effects during surgery. St.
John's Wort, a popular dietary supplement, can affect many medications, including some used to treat depression. Taking a supplement that purports to help with certain health conditions can be as easy as buying something online or at a local health and wellness store. Supplements can affect the way a medication works or the way the body absorbs, uses, or eliminates it. If you take more than one supplement or take a supplement while taking a medication, there may be a risk of negative interactions.
If you experience any adverse reactions while taking a supplement, you should see a healthcare provider. To make sure your line of drugs, vitamins and supplements is safe, it is important to know how they can interact. If you need to take both zinc supplements and penicillamine, zinc supplements should be taken at least two hours before or after taking penicillamine. Some research suggests that oral contraceptives may increase levels of melatonin, thus increasing the effects and possible adverse effects of melatonin supplements.
It is important to remember that even healthy foods, such as fruits and vegetables, can cause unwanted and possibly dangerous interactions with certain medications. To ensure safety when taking supplements and medications together, it is best to talk to your healthcare provider about the supplements you take and check with them before starting any new supplement. Your healthcare provider will be able to provide advice on how to safely use dietary supplements in combination with other medications.
