Nearly 40 Percent of Americans Taking Prescription Medications and Dietary Supplements Don't Know About Drug-Nutrient Interactions, New Survey Finds
Vitamin Packs DNI Survey Reveals 61 Percent of Millennials Assume They Don't Need to Consult a Doctor Before Adding a Vitamin Supplement to Their Diet
SEATTLE, March 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- An increasing number of Americans are taking dietary supplements alongside prescription medications. While both interventions can help support overall health, consumers need to recognize the impact of drug-nutrient interactions (DNIs), and speak with a health care provider about possible DNIs. The Vitamin Packs DNI Survey, conducted by Wakefield Research, found that nearly 40 percent 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. What's more, 61 percent of millennial age respondents assume they don't need to notify their doctor if they start taking a vitamin supplement.
Personalized Nutrition
As more Americans combine prescription medications with dietary supplements, the potential for DNIs increases. Personalized nutrition can provide a new way to help this population avoid risky drug nutrient interactions.
Vitamin Packs, a personalized vitamin subscription service, is the only subscription box that cross-references 650 prescription medications before curating a unique combination of nutritional supplements for its subscribers.
"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," said Michael Roizen, M.D., chief wellness officer, Cleveland Clinic and Vitamin Packs medical advisory board chair. "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."
Findings at a Glance
- Nearly 2 in 5 (38%) of survey participants (those already taking vitamins alongside prescription meds) do not know vitamins and supplements can impact the effectiveness of medications
- 45% of respondents assume they don't need to tell their doctor if they start taking a new vitamin or supplement with 61% of millennials agreeing
- 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%)
- Sleep (28%)
- 55% of respondents use a pill box, such as a day strip pill box to keep track of the amount of vitamins and medications they need to take, while another 28% don't have a method to keep track of their daily amounts
- Participants reported taking 5 or more different types of pills (51%) with them when they travel
For more information about Vitamin Packs, please visit www.vitaminpacks.com.
Methodology
Wakefield Research conducted the Vitamin Packs DNI Survey in February 2018. The survey sample included 500 U.S. adults, ages 18 and older, taking both a supplement and a prescription.
About Vitamin Packs
Vitamin Packs, the next generation vitamin subscription service, helps consumers take the guesswork out of the dietary supplement aisle by using Natural Intelligence™ to deliver personalized nutrition safely and conveniently. Vitamin Packs uses thousands of personalized inputs to recommend supplements that meet individual needs, lifestyle habits and prescription medication use. As a proud supporter of Vitamin Angels®, every Vitamin Packs order provides two children who are malnourished a full year of vitamins. To learn more about Vitamin Packs, please visit www.vitaminpacks.com.
SOURCE Vitamin Packs
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