Drug Interactions:
No Appointment Necessary

Aired on Lifetime Television for Women
Sunday, June 18 and August 20, 2006
Show 316

One out of every five Americans takes a dietary supplement. Are they safe when taken with OTC or prescription medications? When taken properly, supplements are fine. But when you taking an OTC or prescription medication, it's always a good idea to talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You need to be careful when taking a dietary supplement because many of them have active ingredients that can create harmful side effects when they're combined with OTC or prescription medications. You should also let your pharmacist know about the supplements you take. Your pharmacist can screen for possible allergies and drug interactions. This is especially important when you get your prescriptions filled at more than one pharmacy. If you think you're having a reaction to a prescription, contact your pharmacist or doctor right away so they can evaluate the reaction and recommend the right action for you to take. Your pharmacist always checks for drug interactions when you bring in a new prescription. Sometimes we might talk to your doctor if we think the drug might cause a reaction that could hurt you in any way. So play it safe when you're thinking about adding a supplement to your diet. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist first.