Common Nutritional Supplement Contraindications

One-third of adults in the U.S. are taking prescription medications with dietary supplements, according to a recent study reported by the news service Reuters.

The contraindication, or drug-supplement interaction, risk may increase as more people use more types as the routine practice and availability of products becomes more prevalent. The most common type of nutritional supplements that people on pharmaceutical drugs take are multivitamins and omega-3 fatty acid oil supplements.

Using nutritional supplements is considered more normal today than in decades past, and even pharmacists are becoming more familiar with the link between common drugs and nutritional products. A great resource for finding out about contraindications is, of course, the physician that prescribes the drugs. However, the next best option may be the pharmacist that fills your prescription, and if she is not available, a reputable online source, such as WebMD.

Having an understanding of the most common drug and nutritional supplement interactions can also help you, friends and family navigate health concerns prior to discussing them with a professional health care provider.

The most common supplements that cause prescription drug interactions, according to the Vitamin Council, are:

• St. John’s wort
• Gingko
• Kava
• Willow
• Digitalis

There are particular medications that also regularly pose a nutritional product interaction risk. The most common are:

• warfarin (Coumadin)
• aspirin
• insulin
• digoxin
• ticlopidine (Ticlid)

St. John's Wort

St. John's wort is often cited as the most commonly contraindicated natural product because it can decrease the effectiveness of statin drugs used to treat high cholesterol. It is typically used to treat mood disorders, such as depression.

Ginkgo

Ginkgo biloba is an herbal supplement that can improve alertness and is often associated with cognitive function, although research is not conclusive regarding its effectiveness. It has been associated with increased blood flow because it decreasing blood clotting and aggregation. Consequently, ginkgo is contraindicated with warfarin and other blood-thinning medications used for patients experiencing blood vessel blockage and cardiovascular disease. Used together with these drugs, ginkgo can over-thin the blood and create a risk for severe bleeding in the case that the patient becomes injured. It can also exacerbate internal bleeding if taken during the same period as aspirin that can cause stomach ulcers and bleeding.

Grapefruit

A common nutritional contraindication that should also be noted is grapefruit, that can interfere with the effectiveness of cholesterol drugs.

If you find yourself seeking more information about contraindications, in addition to information about insurance and financial assistance pharmacy Michigan  a pharmacy in Michigan can be a terrific resource. Ask a pharmacist to help uncover the important facts that can help protect you and your loved ones with the latest finding regarding nutritional products and prescription medications.