Questions to Ask Your Clinician or Pharmacist About Brain Supplements

Why ask

Health agencies in the sources we read agree on one point: talk to a professional first. The FDA says to talk with a doctor, nurse, registered dietitian or pharmacist before buying or taking a dietary supplement, because some supplements contain ingredients with strong effects in the body, can interact with medicines, can interfere with lab tests and can have dangerous effects during surgery. [1] NCCIH says to tell all your health care providers about any complementary health approach you use, so you can make shared decisions. [2]

This page is a list of questions, not medical advice. It does not say what to take. Do not stop or change a prescribed medicine on your own; ask the prescriber.

Bring with you

• A list or photos of every supplement, vitamin, herbal product, energy drink and medicine you use, including over-the-counter ones. NCCIH says to tell your providers about all dietary supplements you take. [3]
• The full label, including the Supplement Facts panel and "Other ingredients." See the label checklist.
• Your goal in your own words (for example, "I lose focus in the afternoon" or "I forget names").

Questions about the reason

1. Could something else explain my trouble with focus or memory, such as sleep, mood, a medicine, or a medical condition? See medicines, sleep, mood and illness that affect memory.
2. Should I be assessed first? Sudden confusion or steady change needs a clinician (when to get help). NIA says to check with a doctor before trying any supplement that promises to prevent Alzheimer's. [4]
3. Do I have ADHD, an anxiety condition, a heart rhythm problem or epilepsy that changes the answer? See nootropics and conditions.

Questions about my medicines

1. Does this ingredient interact with any medicine I take? The FDA notes warfarin, ginkgo, aspirin and vitamin E can each thin the blood and together may raise bleeding or stroke risk. [5]
2. Does caffeine in this product add to my other caffeine? MedlinePlus lists stimulants, certain antibiotics, asthma medicines and heart medicines among those to check with a provider. [6]
3. Could this change a lab test result? The FDA says some supplements can interfere with lab tests. [1]
4. Is it wise to take this with my other supplements? Duplicate ingredients are covered in amounts and duplicate ingredients.

Questions about my situation

1. I am pregnant, trying to become pregnant or breastfeeding: is this ingredient a concern? The FDA recommends talking to a provider about caffeine in these situations, and NCCIH says ginkgo may be unsafe in pregnancy. [7][8]
2. This is for a child or teen: is it appropriate? NCCIH says to consider the situation before giving a child a supplement. [3] Medical experts advise against energy drinks for children and teens, according to the FDA. [7]
3. I am an older adult on several medicines: does this raise risk? See nootropics and older adults.
4. I have kidney or liver disease: is this ingredient a concern? We did not find a source we could read that gives general rules, so this is a question for your care team. See nootropics and liver, kidney and heart conditions.
5. I am having surgery or a procedure: when should I tell the team? NCCIH says some supplements may increase bleeding risk or affect anesthesia and to tell providers as far in advance as possible. [3] The FDA says a professional may ask you to stop supplements two or three weeks before surgery. [5] See brain supplements before surgery.

Questions about the product

1. Is the ingredient and amount on the label something you can verify? A label cannot guarantee quality. [3] See quality testing and certifications.
2. Is the evidence for my group of people (not just healthy adults)? See the evidence summary table.
3. What side effects should make me call you, and how do I report a problem? The FDA says to contact your health care provider first about a harmful effect, then a report can be made. [9]

If something goes wrong

For severe symptoms call 911 (US). For poisoning questions in the US, Poison Help is 1-800-222-1222. For thoughts of self-harm, call or text 988 (US).