It's important to take medications carefully and safely, especially if you're taking more than one. A minimum of two hours is generally recommended between taking medication and vitamins, and some sources even suggest four to six hours.
Dietary supplements
are products designed to provide the body with the nutrients it needs, according to family nurse Alicia Walls, FNP. Unfortunately, these supplements can interfere with prescription medications, leading to chemical interactions that can be minor or dangerous.Some products should be taken on an empty stomach one hour before or two hours after meals. Additionally, antacids, dairy products, tea, or coffee should be avoided two hours before or after taking the medication. This is because these substances can weaken the medication and make it less effective. Weight-loss products that claim to be “all-natural” or “herbal” can also interact with medications and be dangerous for people with certain medical conditions.
It's important to tell your doctor if you're taking any supplements in addition to prescription medications so they can monitor you closely. Multivitamins are a type of dietary supplement used to treat or prevent vitamin deficiency caused by poor diet, certain diseases, or during pregnancy. However, if you're planning surgery, keep in mind that some dietary supplements can interact in a harmful way with medications you must take before, during, or after the procedure. Supplements can also affect the way your body responds to anesthesia and other medications you may need before, during, and after surgery.
The problems that result from taking supplements and medications together can be especially dangerous if you are going to have surgery or if your prescription has a “narrow therapeutic range”. If you take natural dietary supplements to supplement your diet or to alleviate the symptoms of conditions such as menopause or depression, you could be changing the way the medications you're taking work inside your body. Supplements can increase or decrease the amount of medication that stays in your body regardless of the dose taken. Unfortunately, there isn't enough clinical evidence to know exactly how these supplements interact with all medications or with each other.
It's important to ask your doctor or pharmacist how long you should wait between doses and to help you find a dosing schedule that works with all your medications. In the case of children, taking dietary supplements together with other medications makes adverse events a real possibility. When it comes to taking medication and vitamins together, it's important to be aware of potential interactions and side effects. A minimum of two hours is generally recommended between taking medication and vitamins, but some sources suggest four to six hours for maximum safety.
It's also important to tell your doctor about any dietary supplements you're taking so they can monitor you closely for any potential interactions. Additionally, if you're planning surgery, make sure to inform your doctor about any supplements you're taking as they may interact in a harmful way with medications used before, during, or after the procedure.
