Questions to Ask Your Pharmacist or Clinician About an Herb
A checklist of questions to take to a pharmacist or clinician before using a herb, grouped by medicines, health conditions, surgery, pregnancy and children, with the reason each matters.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Safety first. Supplements can cause side effects and interact with medicines. Read mushroom safety and interactions before you use any mushroom product.
A pharmacist or clinician can see your medicines, conditions and test results together. A web page cannot. This checklist is for the conversation. It does not tell you what to take. FDA advises talking to a doctor, pharmacist or other healthcare professional before deciding to use a dietary supplement. [1] Print it or copy it to your phone and bring your medicine and supplement list.
Before the visit
- Bring a written list of everything you take, how often, and the amounts on the label. [2]
- NCCIH suggests you could also bring the bottles, so your provider can check the ingredients. [3]
- Update the list at each visit. [3]
Questions about your medicines
| Ask | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Can this herb be used with my prescription and over-the-counter medicines? | FDA says drug interactions can make a drug less effective, cause unexpected side effects or increase its action. [4] Supplements can change absorption, metabolism or excretion of a medicine. [5] |
| Is any of my medicines one with a narrow range between too little and too much? | NCCIH names examples such as warfarin, digoxin, cyclosporine, phenytoin and carbamazepine, and says interactions are of special concern for them. [6] |
| Does it matter that I take a blood thinner, aspirin or other medicine that affects bleeding? | FDA says warfarin, ginkgo, aspirin and vitamin E can each thin the blood, and together may increase the chance of internal bleeding or stroke. [5] |
| Do any of my medicines (antidepressants, birth control, transplant, HIV or heart medicines) interact with this herb? | NCCIH says St. John's wort is known to decrease the effects of drugs, including antidepressants, birth control pills and cyclosporine. [7] |
| Could it affect an over-the-counter medicine I use? | NCCIH notes some medicines available without a prescription can also interact with supplements, and suggests asking a provider or pharmacist. [8] |
| Can I see the package insert for my prescription medicine? | FDA advises asking your pharmacist for the package insert for each prescription drug. [4] |
Questions about your health
- Is this herb a problem for my liver, kidneys, heart or blood pressure? NCCIH says dietary supplements may pose risks if you have certain medical problems. [9] See herbs and liver injury and herbs and kidney disease.
- Am I having cancer or HIV treatment? NCCIH reports growing concern that supplements may interfere with cancer and HIV treatments and advises discussing all supplements with your provider. [3]
- Should I tell you about allergies? Some herbs cause allergic reactions. NCCIH says some people have allergic reactions to echinacea, which may be severe. [10]
Questions about surgery or a procedure
- When should I tell the surgical team about my herbs? NCCIH says to talk with providers as far in advance as possible and tell them about all supplements. [6]
- Do I need to stop anything before surgery, and when? NCCIH notes some providers ask patients to stop all herbal supplements several weeks before elective surgery; FDA says some ask for two or three weeks. [6][5] Only your surgical team can tell you. See herbs before and after surgery.
- What if the surgery is an emergency? NCCIH says you or a loved one should still tell the surgeon and anesthesia provider about supplements. [6]
Questions about the product
- Is this the same plant, part and form that was studied? Test results on one product may not apply to others. [11] See reading an herbal supplement label.
- Could it contain something not on the label? NCCIH says some supplements have been found to contain hidden prescription drugs or other compounds. [12] See quality testing.
- What should I watch for, and who do I call? FDA lists itching, rash, hives, throat or tongue swelling, wheezing, yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine and abnormal bleeding among serious reactions. [13] In the US, call 911 for an emergency. For a poisoning concern, Poison Help is 1-800-222-1222.
Before you leave
Ask the pharmacist to write down the answers. Do not stop a prescribed medicine on your own; ask the prescriber or pharmacist first. More on how to start the conversation: talking with a health professional.Frequently asked questions
Who should I ask, a pharmacist or a doctor?
Either. FDA and NCCIH advise discussing supplements with your doctor, pharmacist or other health care provider, and NCCIH specifically suggests a provider or pharmacist for questions about over-the-counter medicines. [1][8]
Do I need to mention teas and foods?
FDA advises telling your doctor or pharmacist about prescription and over-the-counter drugs, dietary supplements, vitamins, botanicals, minerals and herbals, as well as the foods you eat. [4] Concentrated products differ from the drink; see green tea. [14]
Is it too late to ask if I already started?
The sources do not say it is too late. NCCIH advises updating your provider at each visit, and FDA advises stopping a product and reporting if you think it caused a serious reaction. [3][13]
What if my pharmacist or clinician does not know the herb?
Ask them to check the official resources listed in how to check a herb for interactions. NCCIH notes that for many medicines and supplements there is currently little information on possible interactions, so "we do not know" can be an honest answer. [2]
How do I report a bad reaction?
FDA asks people to file a safety report through the Safety Reporting Portal. [13] See side effects and reporting.
More details: evidence, limits and cautions
The details behind this page: cautions, limits of the evidence and where sources disagree. Open any note to read it.
Questions about pregnancy, breastfeeding and children
- Has this herb been studied in pregnancy, breastfeeding or children? NCCIH says many supplements have not been tested in pregnant women, nursing mothers or children. [9]
- Is my child's age a factor? FDA says children's metabolisms are unique and differ by age. [5]
- Tell the professional if your health has changed, particularly if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or have had recent illness or surgery. [5] See herbs during pregnancy and children and teens.
References
- FDA (US), Information for Consumers on Using Dietary Supplements. Read 2026-10-23.
- NCCIH (US), 6 Tips: How Herbs Can Interact With Medicines. Read 2026-10-23.
- NCCIH (US), Know the Science, How Medications and Supplements Can Interact: Talk With Your Health Care Providers. Read 2026-10-23.
- FDA (US), Drug Interactions: What You Should Know. Read 2026-10-23.
- FDA (US), Mixing Medications and Dietary Supplements Can Endanger Your Health (Consumer Update, 2022). Read 2026-10-23.
- NCCIH (US), Know the Science, How Medications and Supplements Can Interact: Some Medication-Supplement Interactions Can Be Serious. Read 2026-10-23.
- NCCIH (US), Know the Science, How Medications and Supplements Can Interact: Some Supplements May Decrease the Effects of Medications. Read 2026-10-23.
- NCCIH (US), Know the Science, How Medications and Supplements Can Interact: Interactions With Over-the-Counter Medications. Read 2026-10-23.
- NCCIH (US), Using Dietary Supplements Wisely. Read 2026-10-23.
- NCCIH (US), Echinacea. Read 2026-10-23.
- NIH LactMed, St. John’s Wort (PubMed record of the LactMed entry, 2025). Read 2026-10-23.
- NCCIH (US), 5 Tips: What Consumers Need To Know About Dietary Supplements. Read 2026-10-23.
- FDA (US), How to Report a Problem with Dietary Supplements. Read 2026-10-23.
- NCCIH (US), Green Tea. Read 2026-10-23.