Medicines
Supplements and Medicines: Questions to Ask Your Pharmacist Before You Start
Supplements can interact with medicines, and Flow Nerves names six ingredients with cautions for diabetes medicine, blood thinners, kidney disease and some antibiotics. Show your pharmacist the complete list, and keep taking prescribed medicine as directed.
Written by the Flow Nerves label deskUpdated
Why01
Why do supplements and medicines need a check?
Because supplements can interact with medicines, and some carry risks with certain medical problems or before surgery.
NCCIH says supplements may interact with medicines or pose risks with certain medical problems or before surgery, that many have not been tested in pregnant women, nursing mothers or children, and that all your health care providers should know what you take 1. NIH ODS adds that supplements can help fill nutrient gaps but cannot replace a varied diet, and that they can interact with medicines 2. A pharmacist sees your whole list and is the right person to ask.
Pairs02
Which medicines matter with which ingredient?
| Medicine | Ingredient to ask about | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Diabetes medicine, insulin | Alpha lipoic acid | Lowers blood sugar 3 |
| Warfarin, other blood thinners | Turmeric, L-carnitine, CoQ10 | Bleeding risk; CoQ10 may weaken warfarin 456 |
| Some antibiotics | Magnesium glycinate | Can reduce absorption; take apart 7 |
| Bisphosphonates, diuretics, acid reflux medicine | Magnesium glycinate | Can interact 7 |
| Kidney disease medicines | Magnesium, L-carnitine | Cautions in kidney disease 89 |
| Blood pressure medicine | Butcher's broom, CoQ10 | No authority page found; ask a pharmacist |
Questions03
What should you ask the pharmacist?
- Does any of the six ingredients interact with my medicines?
- Should I space the capsule from any medicine, and by how long?
- Are there tests I should have if I start it, such as blood sugar or clotting checks?
- What signs should make me stop and call?
- Is there anything on my list that makes this a poor idea?
Bring the bottle, or a photo of the front, and the list of ingredient names from the ingredients page. Tell the pharmacist the amounts are not printed.
Never04
What should you never do?
Never stop or change a prescribed medicine because of a supplement, an ad or a page like this one.
Keep taking prescribed medicine exactly as directed. If a supplement makes you want to change a dose, talk to the prescriber first. Do not combine several new products at once, because then you cannot tell which one caused a problem. Do not use a supplement to replace a missed medicine.
Surgery05
What about surgery and tests?
Tell the team about every supplement before surgery and before tests that involve bleeding or blood sugar.
NCCIH notes that supplements can pose risks before surgery 1. Turmeric and L-carnitine can matter with bleeding, so the surgical team needs to know. Bring the bottle or a list. Ask how long before the date to stop, and let them decide.
Flow Nerves: 30 capsules a bottle1 capsule a day with a meal · from $49 a bottle · 60-day guarantee (confirm)
See packsTiming06
Does timing between capsule and medicine matter?
For some pairs it does, and a pharmacist can give the exact gap.
NIH notes that magnesium can reduce the absorption of some antibiotics, and that taking them apart is the usual answer 7. The same idea applies to other medicines that bind to minerals. Do not guess the gap. Ask the pharmacist, write the schedule on paper and keep it with the bottle. If you take many medicines at different times of day, a pharmacist can sometimes simplify the schedule so a capsule fits without causing a clash.
The how to use page explains the take-with-a-meal habit that most makers of capsules suggest, and the side effects page lists what to watch for in the first weeks.
Pharmacist07
Why is the pharmacist a good first call?
They see every prescription, they are easy to reach and they know the interaction lists.
You do not need an appointment to ask a pharmacist whether two things clash. Bring the bottle or the list of six names. A pharmacist can also tell you when a question is really for your prescriber, such as a change in dose, and will say so. If the pharmacist is unsure about an ingredient, accept that answer too. Not knowing is information, and it is better than a confident guess. For butcher's broom and blood pressure medicine in particular, we found no authority page and say so plainly.
Use the answer to decide, not an advert. If the answer is wait, wait.
One at a time08
Why start one new thing at a time?
So that if something goes wrong, you know what caused it.
If you begin a nerve capsule, a new sleep aid and a new herbal tea in the same week and feel unwell, no one can tell which one is responsible. Start one product, keep a short note of the date and any change, and wait before adding anything else. Share that note with your clinician. It is boring advice, and it is the advice that makes problems solvable.
The list09
What should a good medicine list contain?
| Item | Example of detail |
|---|---|
| Prescription medicines | Name, dose, times, prescriber |
| Over-the-counter medicines | Pain relievers, acid reducers, sleep aids |
| Supplements | Product name, ingredients, how often |
| Allergies | Reaction and the date |
| Conditions | Diabetes, kidney disease, bleeding problems |
| Upcoming procedures | Surgery or dental work dates |
FAQ10
Flow Nerves questions people ask
Can I take Flow Nerves with my medications?
Ask your pharmacist first. Diabetes medicine, blood thinners, some antibiotics and kidney problems matter most.
Should I stop my medicine if I start a supplement?
No. Never stop or change a prescribed medicine on your own. Keep taking it and talk to the prescriber.
How do I tell my doctor about supplements?
Bring the bottle or a list of ingredients and doses, and say how long you have taken it.
Can I take Flow Nerves before surgery?
Tell the surgical team. NCCIH says supplements can pose risks before surgery.
Does taking it with food change anything?
It may help comfort for some people, but it does not remove the need to check medicine interactions.
Can I take several supplements together?
Add one at a time and tell your pharmacist about each, so a problem can be traced.
Is a pharmacist the right person to ask?
Yes. Pharmacists see your whole medicine list and can check each ingredient for interactions.
Who wrote this11
Written and reviewed by
Pages built from the brand files and linked NIH, FDA, CDC, FTC and peer-reviewed sources.
Last updated . Read our editorial standards and how we check reviews. This website is the information site for a USA Authorized Flow Nerves Retailer. It is not the manufacturer. We earn money when you buy through our order links.
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