Health Journal Online

Tag: Medicines

  • This Common Supplement Could Impact How Your Medicines Work

    This Common Supplement Could Impact How Your Medicines Work

    If you are someone taking a cinnamon supplement for its health perks, you might want to think twice. New research suggests it might be time to go back to getting nutrients from your plate, not a pill. Researchers now found that a compound in cinnamon supplements could interfere with how your body processes medications, something plain old cinnamon in food does not seem to do.

    Cinnamon is an age-old spice that has long been used as a flavoring agent in foods like breakfast cereals, snacks, bagels, teas, and hot chocolate. In recent years, cinnamon supplements have gained popularity among health enthusiasts, praised for their potential anti-inflammatory benefits and blood sugar-lowering effects.

    The latest study, published in the journal Food Chemistry: Molecular Sciences, uncovers a surprising twist for supplement users. Researchers found that cinnamaldehyde, the compound responsible for cinnamon’s distinctive flavor and many of its medicinal properties, can interfere with how the body processes certain medications when taken in concentrated supplement form. This interference could either reduce the effectiveness of common drugs or amplify their side effects, posing unexpected risks for people who rely on regular medications.

    However, adding a dash of cinnamon to your coffee or oatmeal is harmless and might even offer small health perks. But when cinnamon is taken in concentrated supplement form, the story changes.

    The new findings are a reminder that more is not always better, especially for those who turn to supplements as a shortcut for nutrition. “Health concerns could arise if excessive amounts of supplements are consumed without the knowledge of health care provider or prescriber of the medications. Overconsumption of supplements could lead to a rapid clearance of the prescription medicine from the body, and that could result in making the medicine less effective,” Shabana Khan, a principal scientist at the National Center for Natural Products Research in a news release.

    “People who suffer from chronic diseases – like hypertension, diabetes, cancer, arthritis, asthma, obesity, HIV, AIDS or depression – should be cautious when using cinnamon or any other supplements. Our best advice is to talk to a healthcare provider before using any supplements along with the prescription medicine. By definition, supplements are not meant to treat, cure or mitigate any disease,” Khan added.

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  • FDA Proposes To Ban Popular Decongestant In Cold Medicines Citing ‘Not Effective’

    FDA Proposes To Ban Popular Decongestant In Cold Medicines Citing ‘Not Effective’

    The U.S. Food and Drug Administration(FDA) has proposed to ban oral phenylephrine, an active ingredient in popular decongestants and cold medications, citing its lack of effectiveness.

    Several cold medications, including Advil, Vicks NyQuil, Sudafed PE, Robitussin, Benadryl Allergy Plus Congestion, Tylenol, and Theraflu, contain oral phenylephrine. In some, it is the only active ingredient, while others combine it with acetaminophen or dextromethorphan.

    Officials clarified that the proposed ban is unrelated to the safety of phenylephrine and does not affect the nasal spray form of phenylephrine.

    Companies may continue selling products containing oral phenylephrine until the order is finalized. The public can submit feedback on the FDA’s proposal until May 7, 2025. However, after this comment period, if the FDA finalizes its decision to revoke oral phenylephrine’s status as “generally recognized as safe and effective” (GRASE), manufacturers would need to either remove or reformulate products containing the ingredient. The FDA stated it would allow manufacturers an appropriate transition period in such cases.

    “It is the FDA’s role to ensure that drugs are safe and effective, Based on our review of available data, and consistent with the advice of the advisory committee, we are taking this next step in the process to propose removing oral phenylephrine because it is not effective as a nasal decongestant,” said Dr. Patrizia Cavazzoni, director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) in a news release.

    Meanwhile, officials urge consumers to be mindful of the ingredients in over-the-counter (OTC) medications, advising them to read the drug facts label and follow important warnings and directions for use.

    “Consumers should know that a range of safe and effective drugs and other treatments is available to temporarily relieve congestion symptoms due to allergies or a common cold. Consumers can also talk to their doctor or pharmacist about ways to treat these symptoms,” said Dr. Theresa Michele, director of the Office of Nonprescription Drug Products in CDER.

    However, the Consumer Healthcare Products Association’s (CHPA) officials said they are “disappointed” with the proposed ban and maintained its position that “no changes to the GRASE status of oral PE (Phenylephrine) for nasal decongestion are warranted.”

    “PE should remain an available option for consumers because Americans deserve the option to choose the safe and effective OTC medicines they prefer and rely on,” CHPA said in a news release.

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