Know the Food Supplement Interactions With Other Medications
Careful consideration should be given on how to take food supplement because it can cause complications with other medications that might result in a serious health situation. According to Dr. Winston H. Gandy Jr., a volunteer of American Heart Association and Piedmont Heart Institute Cardiologist, food supplements could disrupt the balanced dosage and effect of medication. People with medical conditions can still take supplements as long as they know how these function and affect the effectiveness of the drugs that they are taking. The best way to handle this is to open up to your doctor and pharmacist about what food supplement is suited for you.
Learn About the Drug-Supplement Interaction
Based on the survey conducted by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than half of the US populace takes these. There is a great chance that among the users, not all are well informed on how to take food supplement. Food supplements are considered safe when taken correctly and with the right dosage. However, there are instances when these can cause side effects as being taken alongside over-the-counter medicines and prescription drugs. A drug-supplement interaction happens when the supplements you take affects your body’s absorption, riddance, and use of the medicines you take. An anticoagulant may cause coagulation instead when paired with some supplements.
Who are the Possible at Risk for Drug-Supplement Interaction?
It is always best to consult with your doctor when to take food supplements because of the possible interactions especially to people who are taking medications. Who are at risk of this kind of interaction? People who are taking at least two drugs to treat or manage their chronic health situation are at a high risk. This usually involves older adults who have high cholesterol levels and those who have a medical condition like psychiatric disorder, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. It also includes people who are taking both the supplements and the prescription medicine for treatment of the same health condition.
Quick Glance at Supplements That Has Negative Interaction With Medications
Check the listed main ingredients of supplements below and the medications where they could have a negative interaction. This will help you understand how effective is food supplement when taken with other medications.
- Vitamin K interacts with Coumadin, generically known as warfarin, or the anti-coagulants intended to prevent stroke.
- Pomegranate and grapefruit are not good to mix with statin-based medications for cholesterol.
- Coenzyme Q-10 is dangerous to use together with blood thinners, chemotherapy drugs, and blood pressure medications.
- Calcium may interact with magnesium-containing antacids, some diuretics, heart drugs, and aluminum.
- Vitamin E and Ginkgo biloba may trigger internal bleeding if taken together with anticoagulants or aspirin.
Taking medications does not mean that you automatically cannot take any supplement anymore. If you plan to take Organic and Kosher Certified PURE Açai Berry Pulp Puree Liquid, make sure that your doctor knows about it and ask for his opinion if it is safe and will not cause any conflict with the medications you are taking. Varied reasons exist on why take food supplement, but the decision on whether to grab it or not depends on you.
These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to treat, diagnose, or cure any diseases.