Frequently Asked Questions

Dietary supplements include vitamins, minerals, herbs, botanicals, enzymes, amino acids, or other dietary ingredients. You take these products by mouth in pill, capsule, tablet, or liquid form to supplement your diet.

Supplements are available for sale over the counter at your local pharmacy or online without a prescription. Still, you should always check with your doctor before taking any product, because some supplements can cause side effects, or interact with other prescribed or over-the-counter medicines or supplements you're already taking. It's especially important to ask your doctor about taking a supplement if you're pregnant or nursing, about to have surgery, or you have a health condition such as high blood pressure, heart disease, or diabetes. Also, don't give a supplement to a child without checking with their health care provider.

Ask your doctor whether you need the supplement based on your current diet and health. Also ask what benefits and risks the supplement can have, how much to take, and for how long you should take it.

Here are some other things to ask:

  • Are there any studies to show that this supplement works and that it's safe?
  • What side effects might it have?
  • Will this supplement interact with any other drugs or other supplements I'm taking? Can it reduce or increase the effectiveness of any medicines?
  • Will it cause excess bleeding, and if so, should I stop taking it before surgery?
  • Can I take this supplement while I'm pregnant or nursing?
  • Is this supplement safe for my child to take?
  • Can I take it if I have diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, or another medical condition?
  • What should I do if I'm not seeing any benefits or if I'm having side effects?
  • Which brand of this supplement is most reputable?
  • If I do have a side effect from this supplement, where can I report it?