Dietary supplements are regulated by the FDA as foods, not drugs. However, many dietary supplements contain ingredients that have strong biological effects that may conflict with a medication you are taking or with a medical condition you may have. Tell your healthcare providers (including doctors, dentists, pharmacists, and dieticians) about any dietary supplements you are taking. The supplement information panel should indicate the size and number of servings per package, state each dietary ingredient in the product and, with the exception of dietary ingredients that are part of a patented blend, provide information on the amount of the dietary ingredient per serving.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not determine if dietary supplements are effective before they are marketed. Supplement companies are responsible for having proof that their products are safe, and the claims on the label are truthful and not misleading. For a list of possible serious reactions to watch out for and to learn how to report an adverse event, see the FDA website, How to Report a Problem with Dietary Supplements.
Because taking supplements can also pose health risks, the FDA recommends that consumers inform themselves and talk to their doctor, pharmacist, or other health professional before deciding to buy or use a dietary supplement.
Although the FDA does not approve dietary supplements, the agency has a role in regulating them.Two less common types of statements on the labeling of dietary supplements defined by law are claims for a benefit related to a classic nutrient-deficiency disease (when accompanied by a statement that reveals the prevalence of nutrient-deficiency disease in the United States) and general well-being statements derived from the consumption of a nutrient or other dietary ingredient. Accordingly, DSHEA requires that, when the label of a dietary supplement or other label includes such a claim, the statement be accompanied by a disclaimer informing consumers that the FDA has not evaluated the claim. The Federal Trade Commission, which oversees product advertising, also requires that information about a supplement be truthful and not misleading. When taking dietary supplements, be alert to the possibility of an adverse reaction or side effect (also known as a side effect).
The FDA's role in the regulation of dietary supplements includes (among other things) inspecting dietary supplement manufacturing facilities, reviewing new dietary ingredient (NDI) notifications and other regulatory requests on dietary supplements, investigating complaints, monitoring the dietary supplement market, examining dietary supplements and dietary ingredients offered for import to determine if they meet the U requirements. Some dietary supplements can help you get adequate amounts of essential nutrients if you don't eat a variety of nutritious foods. If you think you have suffered a harmful effect or illness (an adverse event) from a dietary supplement, the first thing you should do is contact your health care provider or see them right away. Finally, dietary supplements, like conventional foods, may include other labeling indications that are not defined by law or regulation (for example, consumers can contact the manufacturer of the dietary supplement or a commercial laboratory to analyze the contents of a product).
