The Food and Drug Administration is issuing a "Consumer Alert" to anyone mixing over the counter or prescription medications with vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. FDA researchers say you may be doing more harm than good. Cleveland Clinic physician Dr. Daniel Neides says many people don't realize how dangerous it can be.
"Kidney and liver dysfunction would be the most common adverse events we see when we look at drug to drug or drug to supplement interactions," he said.
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Neides says the kidneys and the liver are the body's two main filters, but there are other side effects that can occur. FDA researchers say dietary supplements can change absorption, metabolism, or excretion of medication and therefore affect its potency. The right combination between medications and supplements can increase the effects of the medication, while others may decrease the desired effect.
Neides agrees with FDA researchers who say you should notify your physician before taking any additional supplements or over the counter medications.
"Make sure that your healthcare provider is aware of what you're taking, how often you're taking it, and if it's going to be anything that is sustained it is important that it is documented in your medical record," he said.
Read more about this "Consumer Alert" from the FDA.