Medication and Supplement Review: Why to Bring Every Bottle

This is general information, not medical advice. It gives no dosing and never tells you to stop a medicine. If you think you are having a severe allergic reaction, call 911; if you think someone has swallowed something harmful, call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222.

Why the review matters

Natural does not mean risk-free. NCCIH says "natural" does not always mean "safe," and that dietary supplements may interact with your medicines or pose risks if you have certain medical problems or are going to have surgery. [1] Practitioners can only check for problems they know about, so a complete list is the most useful thing you can bring.

Make the list

MedlinePlus suggests listing prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, herbs and supplements, with the name, what each does, the dose, the times you take it and any side effects. [2] It also suggests taking the list and your medicines in their bottles to appointments and to the pharmacy. [2] A photo of each label works if bottles are too many to carry. Include teas, powders, drops and anything bought online or given by a friend.

Products may not match the label

NCCIH says what is on the label may not be what is in the product, and that the FDA has found prescription drugs, including anticoagulants such as warfarin, in products sold as dietary supplements. [1] It also says the FDA is not authorized to review dietary supplements for safety and effectiveness before they are marketed. [1] For that reason, tell your clinicians the exact product, not only the ingredient.

Questions to ask at the visit

• Which of my current medicines could this product affect, and how will that be checked?
• What are the possible side effects, and what should I do if I notice one? NCCIH advises that if you have side effects you stop taking the supplement and contact your health care provider. [1]
• Does the practice sell what it recommends, and who benefits from the sale?
• Will you share your plan with my doctor and pharmacist?

Ask a pharmacist too. The NHS advises always checking first with a pharmacist before taking a herbal medicine if you already take other medicine, including medicine bought without a prescription. [3]

If you are told to change a medicine

Do not stop or change a prescribed medicine, such as for diabetes, thyroid, blood pressure, blood thinning, mental health or transplant care, because of a practitioner's advice alone. The NHS says not to stop any prescribed medicine without first talking to your doctor. [3] MedlinePlus likewise says not to cut back or stop medicines on your own. [2] Talk to the prescriber first, and say who recommended the change.

Before surgery

NCCIH advises talking to your health care providers as far in advance of an operation as possible and telling them about all supplements you take. [1] See supplements before surgery.

Keep your records current

Update your list whenever anything changes, and give it to every clinician you see. NCCIH advises telling all your providers about every approach you use. [5] See talking with a health professional.