Humana HealthBeat Transcript Archive

July 26

Supplemental Drugs

Do you take over the counter medicines or herbs? Do you tell your doctor about them? Many of us don’t think over the counter drugs and herbal medicines “count” as drugs.

And we don’t always follow our doctor’s recommendations. In the July 2000 edition of Archives of Internal Medicine, researchers found that 76 percent of the 300 patients studied had either stopped taking drugs that were prescribed to them, were not taking the correct dose, or were using medicines that their doctor’s didn’t know about.

Recently an appeals court ruled that the Food and Drug Administration should be allowed to regulate a dietary supplement called Cholestin. Cholestin contains a substance that is chemically identical to the active ingredient found in the prescription drug Mevacor. If someone with high cholesterol was taking Mevacor and decided to add Cholestin, they could exceed the prescribed dosage of the medicine—and experience the side effects and toxicity that could go along with it.

Here are some ways to avoid trouble:

make sure your doctor knows about all the medicines, supplements, and herbs you are taking—better yet, bring them to the doctor’s office;
understand how to take the medicines you’re prescribed, as well as any side effects that might occur; and
consult your doctor before discontinuing any medicines.

Some pharmacies offer drug interaction services, including herb-drug interactions. Pharmacists can be very helpful if you have any questions. Most importantly, be sure to inform your physician about any medicines or supplements you are currently taking.

How do you know if a supplement is safe?

You don’t always know because they’re generally not regulated. But as we see here, supplements can be as potent as any medicine. Read the label, and always check with your doctor or your pharmacist.

RESOURCES:

Archives of Internal Medicine. 2000;160:2129-2134
archinte.ama-assn.org/issues/current/abs/ioi90676.html
Overview of Dietary Supplements
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
vmcfsan.fda.gov/~dms/

July 26
Supplemental Drugs
	Do you take over the counter medicines or herbs? Do you tell your doctor about them? Many of us don’t think over the counter drugs and herbal medicines “count” as drugs. And we don’t always follow our doctor’s recommendations. In the July 2000 edition of Archives of Internal Medicine, researchers found that 76 percent of the 300 patients studied had either stopped taking drugs that were prescribed to them, were not taking the correct dose, or were using medicines that their doctor’s didn’t know about. Recently an appeals court ruled that the Food and Drug Administration should be allowed to regulate a dietary supplement called Cholestin. Cholestin contains a substance that is chemically identical to the active ingredient found in the prescription drug Mevacor. If someone with high cholesterol was taking Mevacor and decided to add Cholestin, they could exceed the prescribed dosage of the medicine—and experience the side effects and toxicity that could go along with it. Here are some ways to avoid trouble: make sure your doctor knows about all the medicines, supplements, and herbs you are taking—better yet, bring them to the doctor’s office; understand how to take the medicines you’re prescribed, as well as any side effects that might occur; and consult your doctor before discontinuing any medicines. Some pharmacies offer drug interaction services, including herb-drug interactions. Pharmacists can be very helpful if you have any questions. Most importantly, be sure to inform your physician about any medicines or supplements you are currently taking.

	How do you know if a supplement is safe? You don’t always know because they’re generally not regulated. But as we see here, supplements can be as potent as any medicine. Read the label, and always check with your doctor or your pharmacist.
	RESOURCES: Archives of Internal Medicine. 2000;160:2129-2134 archinte.ama-assn.org/issues/current/abs/ioi90676.html Overview of Dietary Supplements U.S. Food and Drug Administration vmcfsan.fda.gov/~dms/