Vitamin Packs releases drug-nutrients interactions survey
According to a recent Vitamin Packs drug-nutrients interactions survey, conducted by Wakefield Research, nearly 40% of Americans who are taking a prescription medication and dietary supplement do not know that vitamins and supplements can impact the effectiveness of prescription medications. And 61% of millennial age respondents assume they don’t need to notify their doctor if they start taking a vitamin supplement, Vitamin Packs, a Seattle-based personalized vitamin subscription service, reported.
“Nutrient deficiencies and diagnosed health conditions often require the use of vitamins and prescription medications, but they can interact. It is critical that users understand potential interactions,” Michael Roizen, chief wellness officer, Cleveland Clinic and Vitamin Packs medical advisory board chair, said. “We know the interaction can occur by direct effect or by changing the metabolism of a drug. Large databases – like electronic medical records and Vitamin Packs’ proprietary database – are key to helping users and health professionals scan for potential interactions. I always recommend that anyone who is looking to add a supplement to their diet should talk with their doctor or a local pharmacist first.”
Vitamin Packs offers subscribers the ability to cross-reference 650 prescription medications before curating a unique combination of nutritional supplements.
According to the survey, nearly 2 in 5 (38%) of survey participants (those already taking vitamins alongside prescription meds) did not know vitamins and supplements can impact the effectiveness of medications. Almost half (45%) of respondents assumed they didn't need to tell their doctor if they started taking a new vitamin or supplement.
Aside from general wellness, respondents reported taking dietary supplements for energy (51%), heart health (40%), immunity (38%), digestive health (37%), hair or skin health (35%) and sleep (28%).
And half of all participants reported taking five or more different types of pills with them when they travel.
“Nutrient deficiencies and diagnosed health conditions often require the use of vitamins and prescription medications, but they can interact. It is critical that users understand potential interactions,” Michael Roizen, chief wellness officer, Cleveland Clinic and Vitamin Packs medical advisory board chair, said. “We know the interaction can occur by direct effect or by changing the metabolism of a drug. Large databases – like electronic medical records and Vitamin Packs’ proprietary database – are key to helping users and health professionals scan for potential interactions. I always recommend that anyone who is looking to add a supplement to their diet should talk with their doctor or a local pharmacist first.”
Vitamin Packs offers subscribers the ability to cross-reference 650 prescription medications before curating a unique combination of nutritional supplements.
According to the survey, nearly 2 in 5 (38%) of survey participants (those already taking vitamins alongside prescription meds) did not know vitamins and supplements can impact the effectiveness of medications. Almost half (45%) of respondents assumed they didn't need to tell their doctor if they started taking a new vitamin or supplement.
Aside from general wellness, respondents reported taking dietary supplements for energy (51%), heart health (40%), immunity (38%), digestive health (37%), hair or skin health (35%) and sleep (28%).
And half of all participants reported taking five or more different types of pills with them when they travel.