April 28, 2026
It feels like there is a nutritional supplement for everything these days.
Can't sleep? Take melatonin.
Feeling stressed? Try ashwagandha.
Want to protect your brain health? Fish oil can help.
Gut not great? Grab a prebiotic.
Big on bone health? Add a calcium supplement.
With more than 100,000 different supplements available to you, the choices seem endless. It's easy to use supplements as a DIY health fix — especially when every social media influencer seems eager to share "the supplement that changed their life."
The problem is that dietary supplements are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) like prescription drugs. They are also not regulated as over-the-counter (OTC) medicines. Supplements fall under the guidance of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act, but there are no rules about how well they need to work or what is in them.
"There can be a big difference in potency and absorption depending on the manufacturer, supplement and batch," says MU Health Care pharmacy supervisor Jennifer L. Miller, PharmD. "But it can be tricky because supplements can interact with other medications and cause side effects, just like prescribed drugs."
As with any medication, there are many factors to consider when putting a supplement into your body. Next time you're thinking of adding a new supplement to your medication regimen — or want to review your current supplements — check off these six steps to help ensure safe supplement use.
1. Identify the Reason You Want to Take the Supplement
The goal of a supplement is to address a health concern or nutritional deficiency. However, it's easy to get carried away with the non-specific claims of some supplements to help you sleep better, feel better or look better. As a result, you could end up taking something you don't need.
"Pinpoint the health problem you are trying to solve," Miller says. "Then look closely at what you are already taking that is supposed to be solving that problem. Are you reaching for ashwagandha because your antidepressant isn't working? Maybe the dosage isn't adequate. Maybe you aren't taking it correctly. Either way, adding on another treatment is typically not the best solution."
If your reason is a new health concern, such as entering your 40s or 50s and worrying about bone or muscle loss, your doctor can guide you on best next steps. Self-medicating — especially based on something you saw online — can put you at risk for health issues.
2. Talk to Your Doctor or Pharmacist
Nutritional supplements can pose a health risk depending on your current health and which medications and supplements you already take. Health factors that can put you at higher risk include:
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Transplant recipient
- Taking blood thinners
- Undergoing chemotherapy
"Your doctor knows your health history and the prescription medication you take to manage your current health conditions," Miller says. "They have the resources to uncover potential drug interactions and have access to pharmacists when they have questions."
Reach out to your primary care provider to ask about a supplement before taking it. You can call or send a message through the patient portal — it does not require a new appointment.
3. Decide How the Supplement Will Fit Into Your Current Medication Regimen
A supplement will only work well if you take it consistently and correctly. This is the time to be honest with yourself about how well you stick to your current regimen.
"Will you be able to take this supplement at the same time every day or when it will be most effective?" Miller says. "If you know you'll never remember to take melatonin before bed, then it may not be a good option."
To get the best results with a new supplement, familiarize yourself with the instructions. Should it be taken on an empty or full stomach? Is the daily dosage one pill or two? Will you be taking the supplement as a capsule or in gummy form?
4. Check Whether the Supplement Is Safe to Take With Your Other Medications, Supplements and OTC Medicines
Knowing how medications interact before you add the new supplement can help you avoid dangerous interactions and ensure the drugs are working optimally. Some medications can increase or decrease how well another drug works.
"Make use of your pharmacist, because this is their specialty," says Miller. They can answer questions about how a new supplement will work with your existing medications. They will work with your doctor if they have questions or concerns.
Supplements should be treated like medications, Miller adds. If a drug interaction occurs, it can cause symptoms such as:
- Bruising and bleeding issues
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Foggy thinking
- Higher blood pressure
- And many others
"It's extremely important that your doctor has a list of all your medications, including supplements," Miller says. "At each appointment, ask them to go over the list they have so you can update it."
5. Make Sure You Are Not Overdosing on Vitamins
More than 60% of adults take a supplement of some kind and most of them are vitamins. But if you are taking a multivitamin and vitamin supplements, you may be getting more than you need.
In some cases, taking too much of a particular vitamin can cause serious health concerns. It depends on how the vitamin is absorbed and used by the body (metabolized). Vitamins get metabolized in two ways:
- Water-soluble vitamins tend to flush out of your system through urine. If you take too much, you just pee the excess out.
- Fat-soluble vitamins, which include A, D, E and K, build up in the body and can become toxic. For example, vitamin D helps with calcium absorption. Too much vitamin D can cause excess calcium, which can lead to liver and kidney issues.
"Check the bottles to figure out how much you are getting daily or consider asking your doctor for vitamin testing," Miller says. "The results can let you know if you are overdoing it with any vitamins."
6. Use Supplements That Are Third-Party Tested
In the absence of FDA regulation, third-party testing is an added assurance that you are choosing a more reputable brand of supplements. Third-party testing means the supplement has been tested by an independent laboratory to ensure the supplement is:
- Free from contaminants
- Potent
- True to the claims on the label
"If a company is doing third-party testing, they will list it on the container," Miller says. "Most reputable manufacturers also have a website, where you should find their testing process and a list of the ingredients. When it comes to taking supplements, the more information you have, the better."
Next Steps and Useful Resources
- Want to discuss more with a primary care provider? Find one today.
- Want to visit with a pharmacist? Find a location near you.
