Is Your Supplement Regimen Risky?

A survey of 5052 participants in the Cardiovascular Health Study found that 294 (5.8%) people were taking some combination of supplements and conventional drugs that put them at a significant risk for an adverse reaction. The most common combinations were ginkgo, garlic, or ginseng with aspirin, warfarin (Coumadin), ticlopidine (Ticlid), or pentoxifylline (Trental). Taking any of these herbs with any of these drugs could increase the risk of bleeding and hemorrhage. The full results of the study will be published in the October issue of The Annals of Internal Medicine.

One of the problems is that physicians and alternative practitioners don't always know that a particular combination poses a risk. Another big problem, however, is that patients don't always inform all their health providers of the supplements and drugs they're taking. That's where our Supplement Diary can help. Just print as many pages as you need, take out all your supplements, and record them in the diary. Photocopy it and give it to your health providers. You can also do the same for your conventional drugs and give the list to your alternative practitioners. It takes a little time, but it's worth it. Go to the Supplement Diary.