The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not have the authority to review the safety and effectiveness of dietary supplements before they are marketed. However, there are ways to determine if a vitamin is approved by the FDA. Consumers can contact the manufacturer of the dietary supplement or a commercial laboratory to analyze the contents of a product. With over 90,000 different supplements on the market, it can be difficult to understand which ones are safe and which ones are not.
Two members of the American Medical Association (AMA) discussed what doctors would like patients to know about vitamins and nutritional supplements. The company then sends the data from these tests to the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) to show that the drug is safe and effective for its intended use. If you experience an adverse effect, also known as a side effect or adverse reaction, the FDA recommends that you and your health professional report the adverse event to them. Certain vitamins and nutritional supplements can be beneficial for health, but they can also pose health risks. It is important to note that consumers should seek advice from health professionals about cultural or lifestyle practices before taking any new products.
Additionally, if consumers experience adverse reactions with a dietary supplement, they should report it to the FDA's MedWatch Program.The Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) was amended in 1994 by the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (often referred to as DSHEA), which defined the “dietary supplement” and established the authority of the FDA with respect to such products. Products that fit a monograph may be marketed without additional FDA authorization, while those that do not must be reviewed and approved separately through the New Drug Approval System. 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. To file a general, non-serious complaint or concern about dietary supplements, contact the local FDA consumer complaint coordinator. If you experience an adverse effect while taking a dietary supplement, stop using it immediately, seek medical attention or advice, and report the adverse event to the FDA. To ensure that you are taking safe vitamins and nutritional supplements, it is important to talk with your doctor before taking any new products.
