When health care providers prescribe medications to patients, they are taking into account what health conditions the patients have, how much and how often they need to take the medicine, any allergies they have and many other factors. The same considerations are important when making decisions about taking dietary supplements. Doctors usually ask their patients to list all the supplements patients are taking. They will help patients know what is best for them. But people probably do not see their doctors as frequently as they are in a drug store. It is often pharmacists who figure prominently in people’s decisions to take supplements.
“It’s really important to establish a relationship with a pharmacist much as you do with any other health care provider,” says Lucas A. Berenbrok, PharmD, assistant professor of pharmacy and therapeutics at the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy. “Pharmacists are good at keeping accurate and current medication lists that we can share with anybody (with the patient’s permission) on the patient’s health care team. Part of that list should include dietary supplements because they can interact—sometimes harmfully—with prescription medications.
“Pharmacists want to know why patients want to take supplements: Do they feel their diet is missing something? Are they trying to get calcium from a multivitamin? We know calcium is good for bone health, but people might not need the extra vitamins and minerals included in that multivitamin. There is the possibility of supplements interacting with prescription medications. People shouldn’t assume that every supplement is ok for everyone. Get help to figure out what’s best for you.”
Dr. Berenbrok also points out that pharmacists can help with dosing questions—knowing how much of a supplement to take and how often. Even the very small print on a bottle label can prevent someone from taking the correct dose.
How do people know if they need a dietary supplement? The question is best answered in a conversation with a health care provider who knows the person’s health history, specific concerns and all current medications and supplements. If people feel their diet is lacking something, the website https://www.choosemyplate.gov/ provides information about healthy eating. No one should diagnose themselves and use supplements as medicine. Supplements are not meant to treat disease.
Getting help with supplements can be as easy as walking over to the pharmacy counter. As Dr. Berenbrok reminds us, “Pharmacies are pretty accessible. They’re open in the evenings, weekends and some holidays. And they are staffed by medication experts.”
Like us at https://www.facebook.com/pages/New-Pittsburgh-Courier/143866755628836?ref=hl
Follow @NewPghCourier on Twitter https://twitter.com/NewPghCourier
Download our mobile app at https://www.appshopper.com/news/new-pittsburgh-courier
About Post Author
