There’s a lot of marketing around supplements and their benefits.
But supplements aren’t always free of risks, and sometimes they can interact with medications in negative or dangerous ways. If you take a supplement or are considering taking one, here are some things to know about how to safely approach using medications and supplements.
Supplements, which may be vitamins, minerals, or herbs, can affect the way your body processes prescription and over-the-counter drugs, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Some supplements break down medications faster than expected, which means there is less medication in your bloodstream. Other medications can slow the breakdown, leaving medication in your body for longer than normal.
Both processes can cause harm, including leaving your body without the medication it needs or causing side effects from too much. Here are a few examples of supplements that can interfere with drugs:
Ashwagandha, an herb marketed to aid with better sleep and lower stress, may have sedative effects and may increase the effects of anti-anxiety drugs such as Xanax and Valium, according to the NIH. This herb may also interact with diabetes and blood pressure medications.
Glucosamine is a supplement for joint health. It is associated with an increased risk of bleeding in people taking blood thinners such as warfarin, according to the NIH.