11 - Supplements Flashcards

1
Q

Definition(s) of a dietary supplement

A
  • A product (excluding tobacco) intended to supplement the diet with ingredients of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, herbs or other botanicals
  • A substance to increase the total dietary intake
  • A concentrate, metabolite, constituent, extract, or combination of any ingredients
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2
Q

Dietary supplements must be in what form(s)?

A

Must be in the form of a capsule, powder, or softgel

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3
Q

Are dietary supplements considered a drug or food?

A

Neither - it is it’s own category

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4
Q

When are supplements required?

A

When they’re deficient in a vitamin (ex. people take Vitamin D in winter)

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5
Q

How do taking dietary supplements affect people?

A
  • Improve quality of life
  • Improve self-esteem
  • Promote a healthy life style
  • Alternative treatment/medicine
  • Active role in self health management
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6
Q

List some ingredients in dietary supplements

A
  • Vitamins
  • Minerals
  • Amino acids
  • Other natural chemicals from (plants, animals, extracted or semi-synthetic)
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7
Q

Infusion

A

pouring hot water over an herb (ex. tea)

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8
Q

Decoction

A

boiling of herb (softens plant material ex. root or bark)

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9
Q

Water-based processes will only be used for ______ agents

A

hydrophillic

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10
Q

For lipophilic agents, _____ has been used (hydroalcoholic extracts)

A

alcohol

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11
Q

Describe herbs

A
  • from natural plants
  • raw or processed ingredients
  • for daily intake
  • better health benefits
  • in the form of medicines
  • specially labelled
  • available as supplements
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12
Q

What is included under “Natural Health Products” (NHPs) ?

A
  • Vitamins & Minerals
  • Herbal remedies
  • Homeopathic medicines
  • Traditional medicines
  • Probiotics
  • Other products (amino acids, fatty acids, etc.)
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13
Q

NHPs are ____

A

OTC

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14
Q

What are some dilemmas with NHPs/supplements?

A
  • Food or medicine?
  • Are they necessary?
  • Are they safe?
  • Can they be used with Rx meds?
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15
Q

What are some pros about NHPs/supplements?

A
  • OTC availability
  • Wide range of indications
  • Use without consultation
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16
Q

What is a functional food?

A

A food that can potentially provide benefits

  • Food with health benefits
  • Foods for daily intake
  • In the form of foods
  • Labeled as foods
  • Available as foods
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17
Q

What is the difference between a functional food and a nutraceutical?

A

A functional food is similar to a conventional food (i think it’s like how an orange can provide you with vitamin C)

A nutraceutical is isolated from a food and sold in dosage forms (so like a vitamin C tablet?)

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18
Q

Describe functional foods & nutraceuticals

A

Food components that provide demonstrated physiological benefits or reduce risk of chronic diseases, above and beyond their basic nutritional functions

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19
Q

Define “Alternative medicine” and list some examples

A

All other approaches and techniques that were not taught in “traditional” medical schools and residencies, but are practiced for healthcare improvement or disease treatment

Examples:

  • hypnosis
  • meditation
  • chiropractice/massage
  • acupuncture
  • traditional medicine
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20
Q

What are some Use Concerns ?

A
  • boundary not well-defined, terminology, interchangeable
  • constant regulatory changes based on different situations and requirements
  • lack of post-marketing surveillance of safety, efficacy, adverse effects, etc.
  • inappropriate usage due to OTC status
  • interactions with conventional medications is possible, information is deficient
21
Q

Beta-carotene (vitamin A precursor):

Benefits?

A

44% reduction in the risk of precancerous colon tutors in subjects who neither drink nor smoke

22
Q

Beta-carotene (vitamin A precursor):

Signs of too much?

A
  • headache
  • hair loss
  • muscular stiffness
  • fatigue
  • liver damage
23
Q

Vitamin B:

Benefits?

A
  • B12 reduces depression

- B6/12 reduces risk of breast cancer and slows progression of Alzheimer’s disease

24
Q

Vitamin C/Vitamin E:

Benefits?

A

cut stroke risk by 70% and 20%

25
Q

Vitamin D:

Benefits?

A

reduced incidence of precancerous growths in colon, reduced fractures in people over 65 years

26
Q

Vitamin D:

Signs of too much?

A
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • diarrhea
  • excessive urination and thirst
27
Q

Vitamin C:

Signs of too much?

A
  • UTI

- kidney/bladder stones

28
Q

Calcium:

Signs of too much?

A
  • impaired absorption of iron and zinc

- calcium deposits in tissues

29
Q

Folic Acid:

Signs of too much?

A
  • loss of appetite
  • nausea
  • sleep disturbances
30
Q

List some dosage forms that dietary supplements come in

A
  • Tablets (regular or coated)
  • Chewable tablets
  • Capsules
  • Oral liquids
  • Gummies
31
Q

What are some important things to look at when buying supplements?

A
  • Important elements: A, B groups, D, Cu, Zn, Mg, Fe, I, Se, Cr
  • % of recommended daily intake
  • Possible extra doses
  • Watch for marketing scams “natural”, “super potency”, “senior formula” (those words don’t necessarily mean anything)
32
Q

Generic or brand better?

A

Equal in quality

  • may have different excipients
  • brand is more expensive
33
Q

Take supplements with ____ for better absorption

A

food

34
Q

Not everyone needs a multivitamin/supplement. List some special populations that do need supplements and why

A

1) People over 65: they have lower absorption so may need supplements
2) Pregnant women or women who may become pregnant: for healthy babies/pregnancy
3) Vegetarians & people on special diets: To counteract diet imbalance
4) People with low-income: to supply extra nutrients in a diet which is lacking

35
Q

____ administration is the only administration for supplements in Canada

A

Oral - some countries have parenteral administration of herbs but not Canada

36
Q

Describe the formulation modification of dietary supplements

A
  • Identification/separation of effective active ingredients
  • Elimination of unnecessary or less important components
  • Formulation of conventional solid dosage forms (tablets and capsules)
  • Improvement of bioavailability and bioequivalence
37
Q

Adverse effects:

Ginseng

A
  • hypertension
  • euphoria
  • nervousness
  • insomnia
  • skin eruption
  • edema
  • diarrhea
38
Q

Adverse effects:

Ginkgo

A
  • gastric distrubance
  • headache
  • dizziness
39
Q

Adverse effects:

Valerian

A
  • headache
  • excitability
  • insomnia
  • uneasiness
  • cardiac distrubance
  • ataxia
  • hypothermia
40
Q

Adverse effects:

Saw palmetto

A
  • nausea

- stomach upset

41
Q

Long-term safety/toxicity data is _____

A

deficient/lacking

42
Q

What is some information required for Licensed NHPs

A
  • product name
  • product license holder
  • NPN (natural product number) or DIN-HM
  • product’s medicinal ingredients
  • product’s non-medicinal ingredients
  • product’s dosage form
  • product’s recommended use or purpose
  • relevant risk info
43
Q

Is the labelling good on dietary supplements?

A

NO - HCPs are extremely important in providing info

  • There is lots of incorrect/misleading info on labels
  • Insufficient info on labels
  • NO universally-acepeed labelling systems
  • Info on drug-supplement interactions is limited and individual assessment for each combo is required
44
Q

Describe a pharmacist’s roles in Supplements:

Knowledge base

A

active ingredients, indications, dosage forms, recommended doses, potential side effects/interactions

45
Q

Describe a pharmacist’s roles in Supplements:

Product choice

A

brands, similarity, difference, preference

46
Q

Describe a pharmacist’s roles in Supplements:

Patient counselling

A

all kinds of questions related to patient’s conditions, extremely important in use of supplements by patients and consumers

47
Q

Describe a pharmacist’s roles in Supplements:

Attitudes

A

positive, encouraging, unbiased

48
Q

Describe a pharmacist’s roles in Supplements:

Information collection

A

use of supplements and prescriptions, health conditions, physician’s input

49
Q

Describe a pharmacist’s roles in Supplements:

Guidelines

A

discussion with physicians, no recommendation to patients with serious medical conditions, selection of quality brands, start with lower doses, follow-up with patients