title: Potential for interactions between dietary supplements and prescription medications.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to assess the frequency of clinically significant interactions caused by concurrent use of dietary supplements and prescription medication.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a cross-sectional, point-of-care survey and combined the findings with a review of patient medical records. Patients treated at Mayo Clinic (Rochester, Minn) in 6 different specialty clinics were surveyed for their use of dietary supplements. Concurrent use of prescription medications was obtained from patients' medical records. We used the Lexi-Interact online medication and dietary supplement interaction analysis program to assess the potential clinical significance of each interaction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We surveyed 1818 patients; 1795 responded (overall response rate of 98.7%) and 710 (39.6%) reported use of dietary supplements. In total, 107 interactions with potential clinical significance were identified. The 5 most common natural products with a potential for interaction (garlic, valerian, kava, ginkgo, and St John's wort) accounted for 68% of the potential clinically significant interactions. The 4 most common classes of prescription medications with a potential for interaction (antithrombotic medications, sedatives, antidepressant agents, and antidiabetic agents) accounted for 94% of the potential clinically significant interactions. No patient was harmed seriously from any interaction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A small number of prescription medications and dietary supplements accounted for most of the interactions. The actual potential for harm was low.
authors.affiliation: Division of General Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
authors.forename: Amit
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sood
authors.forename: Richa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sood
authors.forename: Francis J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Brinker
authors.forename: Ravneet
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mann
authors.forename: Laura L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Loehrer
authors.forename: Dietlind L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Wahner-Roedler
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003625:Data Collection; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004347:Drug Interactions; D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires