Pharmacology of Dietary Supplements

Question 1

True/False. Dietary supplements are drugs.

Answer 1

False. Supplements are not regulated by the FDA and thus not considered drugs.

Question 2

Who is responsible for providing proof of harm in order for a supplement to be removed from the market?

Answer 2

FDA

Question 3

What are the 6 common MOAs of dietary supplements?

Answer 3

Antioxidants, anti-inflammatories, immunomodulation, neurotransmission, hormone modulation, anticancer

Question 4

What are the pharmacological effects of Echinacea?

Answer 4

Immune stimulant that prevents cold and reduces symptoms

Question 5

What dietary supplement acts as a nasal decongestant and can improve respiratory function?

Answer 5

Ephedra

Question 6

Echinacea should be avoided in what patient population?

Answer 6

People with autoimmune disorders and HIV - the immune stimulation may cause flares

Question 7

What adverse reactions are associated with Ephedra?

Answer 7

CV symptoms & stroke

Question 8

What dietary supplement may lower cholesterol and reduce plaque accumulation?

Answer 8

Garlic

Question 9

What dietary supplement carries risk of bleeding in patients receiving anticoagulants?

Answer 9

Garlic, Ginkgo, Ginseng

Question 10

What dietary supplement should be avoided in patients with a seizure disorder?

Answer 10

Ginkgo

Question 11

What is the pharmacological effect of Ginkgo?

Answer 11

Improve claudication, reduce oxidative stress, cognitive benefits

Question 12

What dietary supplement provided non-specific cancer prevention?

Answer 12

Ginseng

Question 13

What are the pharmacological effects of Ginseng?

Answer 13

Cold prevention, increased insulin sensitivity, cancer prevention, alleviation of cancer fatigue

Question 14

This dietary supplement protects against liver injury and may be used to treat Amanita phalloides mushroom poisoning?

Answer 14

Milk Thistle

Question 15

True/False. St. John’s Wort may be used in combinations with other antidepressants to treat mild to moderate depression.

Answer 15

False. St. John’s Wort should never be used with other anti-depressants due to the risk for serotonin syndrome.

Question 16

What dietary supplement is know to induce liver enzymes?

Answer 16

St. John’s Wort

Question 17

What dietary supplement can be used for benign prostatic hyperplasia?

Answer 17

Saw Palmetto

Question 18

What are the effects of alpha lipoic acid?

Answer 18

Enhances glucose uptake and reduces diabetic peripheral neuropathy

Question 19

What dietary supplement decreases the effectiveness of Warfarin due to its structural similarity to Vitamin K?

Answer 19

Coenzyme Q10

Question 20

What are the effects of coenzyme Q10?

Answer 20

Reduced blood pressure and muscle pain

Question 21

What dietary supplement may be taken to relieve join pain?

Answer 21

Glucosamine

Question 22

What are the negative effects of chronic melatonin use in men?

Answer 22

Decreased sperm quality

Question 23

True/False. Pregnant women may take melatonin without issue.

Answer 23

False. Melatonin suppressed LH and should be be used by women who are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding

Question 24

What dietary supplement may be taken for insomnia?

Answer 24

Melatonin