Talking With a Health Professional
A printable checklist for talking with your doctor, pharmacist or surgeon about herbs, supplements and natural remedies: what to bring, what to say and what to ask. Use your browser's print command.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
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Who to tell
Your prescriber, pharmacist, any specialist, and your surgical and anesthesia team. [1][2] For urgent poisoning, call poison help instead: Poisoning: what to do first.Bring
| Item | |
|---|---|
| ☐ | A written list of every prescription and over-the-counter medicine, including supplements, with the dose and how many times a day [1][3] |
| ☐ | The bottles, if you can; they let your provider check ingredients [1] |
| ☐ | Teas, tinctures, oils, powders and "natural" products, not only pills |
| ☐ | Anything new since your last visit, and anything you stopped |
| ☐ | Changes in your health: pregnancy, breastfeeding, recent illness or surgery [3] |
Ask
This list is our suggestion; questions come from the topics NIH names.
| Question | |
|---|---|
| ☐ | Could this interact with any medicine I take? [3] |
| ☐ | Is it safe with my health conditions? |
| ☐ | Should I stop it before surgery or a procedure, and when? [2] |
| ☐ | Is it safe for pregnancy, breastfeeding or my child? [4] |
| ☐ | What side effects should make me stop and call? [4] |
| ☐ | What would you check to see whether it is working? |
Update every visit
NIH advises updating the list at every visit. [1]Related
Reading supplement labels · Amounts and duplicate ingredientsReferences
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH). Know the Science: Talk With Your Health Care Providers. Read 2026-10-22.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH). Know the Science: Some Medication-Supplement Interactions Can Be Serious. Read 2026-10-22.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Mixing Medications and Dietary Supplements Can Endanger Your Health. Read 2026-10-22.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH). Using Dietary Supplements Wisely. Read 2026-10-22.
Education, not medical advice. This page is for general information. It does not diagnose or treat any condition and is not a substitute for care from a qualified health professional. Natural does not automatically mean safe. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before changing your care, especially if you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a health condition.