How to Read Product Labels

1. First, double check the expiration date of any over the counter medicine, supplement or herbal product.
   
2. The next step is to become familiar with the manufacturer. If you have questions about the manufacturer, ask your pharmacist or research the company’s information on the internet. This is particularly important with herbal and supplement companies because they are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Unlike prescription pharmaceutical companies, they are not held to the same strict manufacturing guidelines. Therefore, reputation and knowledge of each company is important to obtain the best product. Importantly, price should not be the sole determinant when deciding which product to buy. To obtain the best results from any product, look for a product from a quality company.
   
3. Look at the dosage of each product listed. Be careful when purchasing products that contain many supplements. Quite often these products contain 3-5 herbs that promise to cure a multitude of ailments. Multi-herb products need to be carefully scrutinized for any potential interactions with medications that a person is already taking. Often, these products contain lower dosages of herbs than are common when they are used alone. This often results in a less than desirable effect.
   
4. Be careful when comparing similar products. Often, the dosage of herb listed is not standardized between products, thereby making it very difficult to compare “apples to apples”.
   
5. Carefully read the instructions that are listed. Many products require multiple doses per day to achieve the desired effect. This becomes important from a price standpoint and practicality standpoint. Few people can remember to take a pill every day. Consider that some supplements require 1-2 tablets three to four times per day. This often correlates to a rather expensive supplement, considering that you would potentially be taking up to 240 tablets per month.
   
6. It is often more prudent to use a symptom based approach when deciding which herb or supplement to purchase. Researching and purchasing a specific herb for each symptom is often the best way to optimal symptom relief.
   
7. Lastly, it is very important to look for drug interactions and side effects. If you are not sure of the potential for interactions, please discuss with your doctor or pharmacist. It is also very important to keep a list of any supplements, herbs, or vitamins that you take with your medication list. This should be given to your doctor at each visit. It is also prudent to have this list handy for other health care professionals, such as your dentist or anesthesiologist before any procedures are performed.