Many over-the-counter supplements can affect the way your medications work. They can change how you absorb, metabolize, or excrete drugs, which can alter the potency of a medication. That’s why it’s important to let your doctor and pharmacist know of any supplements or vitamins you take. While medical professionals want to make sure you don’t have any negative reactions, some supplements may actually make your medication work better, reduce side effects, or reduce the amount of medication that you need.
Quercetin, a bioflavonoid found in apples and other foods has demonstrated antihistamine and antiallergenic properties in laboratory studies. In the lab, it prevents immune cells from releasing histamines, the chemicals that cause allergic reactions. Researchers think that quercetin may help reduce symptoms of allergies, asthma, and even eczema. Quercetin is considered to be safe, but may cause upset stomach or headache. Try using 500 milligrams (mg) to 600 mg, twice daily as an adjunct to your current medication. Quercetin-rich foods include apples, broccoli, citrus, green tea, and leafy greens.
If you take an antidepressant, add an omega-3 fatty acid supplement. Omega-3s are believed to enhance the ability of the brain chemical serotonin to act on the nervous system. In 2023, researchers reported in the Journal of Personalized Medicine that combining an omega-3 fatty acid supplement (500 milligrams per day) with an antidepressant (escitalopram [Lexapro], sertraline [Zoloft], or fluoxetine [Prozac]) relieved depression more than either the supplement or the antidepressant alone. Various studies have looked at different dosages, but 1 gram (g) to 2 g with at least 60 percent eicosapentaenoic acid appears to be effective. You can also get omega-3 fatty acids by eating fatty fish, such as salmon.
There are some cases in which you should not take an omega-3 fatty acid supplement. If you take a blood-thinner, omega-3 can increase the risk of bleeding. It can also lower blood pressure and increase the effects of blood-pressure lowering drugs.
Another supplement that may increase the effectiveness of antidepressants is folic acid. In 2021, researchers conducted a meta-analysis that included 293 articles with six randomized control trials and found that adding l-methylfolate or folic acid improved depression symptoms in people with an inadequate response to antidepressant medications. They also noted that folate deficiency has been linked to depression in numerous studies.
Try 500 micrograms (mcg) daily of folic acid. L-methylfolate is more bioavailable than folic acid and may particularly benefit patients with higher BMI and inflammation. A 2023 meta-analysis reported that the most effective dose in clinical trials was 15 mg/day. Talk to your physician to determine an appropriate dosage for you.
Arginine (also called L-arginine) is an amino acid used by the body to produce nitric oxide (NO), a molecule that helps keep blood vessels flexible and able to dilate—both of which stabilize blood pressure. Legumes (such as lentils, black beans and kidney beans) and whole grains (such as brown rice) contain some arginine, but you’ll need a supplement to get the 2,000 mg daily that is recommended for blood vessel health.
Because some research has shown that arginine can be dangerous for people who have suffered a heart attack, it should not be used by these individuals. If you have the herpes simplex virus and want to take arginine, you may need to add 1,500 mg daily of lysine, another amino acid. The virus grows in the presence of arginine but is inhibited by lysine. Supplement with 1,000 mg of arginine, twice daily.
Also try 100 mg daily of pycnogenol. This plant extract appears to enhance NO synthesis in blood vessels. In a placebo-controlled trial, researchers found that hypertensive patients who took 100 mg of pycnogenol daily for 12 weeks were able to significantly lower their dose of a calcium channel blocker, a popular hypertension drug.
These medications, which can purchased over-the-counter (ibuprofen [Motrin], naproxen [Aleve], aspirin, etc.) or with a prescription can cause gastrointestinal inflammation, bleeding and ulcerations. To help protect against these common side effects, try 350 mg of deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) three times daily. Make sure to choose deglycyrrhizinated only. Glycyrrhetinic acid can raise blood pressure.
Vitamin C (1,000 mg to 2,000 mg daily) may help prevent aspirin-induced inflammation of the small intestine.
And the amino acid glutamine may decrease the intestinal toxicity of NSAIDs. Take 7 g of powdered glutamine three times daily.
Cholesterol-lowering statins deplete the naturally produced molecule coenzyme Q10. This depletion may lead to muscle damage. Researchers at Stony Brook University in Stony Brook, New York, found that patients taking statins who added 100 mg of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) daily for one month reported a 40 percent reduction in severity of muscle pain, a common side effect of statins. CoQ10 also may prevent oxidation of LDL “bad” cholesterol—an unfortunate side effect of statins that occurs to LDL cholesterol particles not eliminated by the drug. Supplement with 100 mg daily.
Also try fish oil that contains 1,500 mg of EPA and 1,300 mg of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) daily. Studies show that these essential fatty acids raise HDL “good” cholesterol and lower dangerous blood fats known as triglycerides—making EPA and DHA a valuable adjunct to statins, which mainly target elevated LDL cholesterol.
Consult your doctor before adding a supplement to your drug regimen.
