Natural Health Products: Choosing the Right Ones for You

Natural health products, including vitamins, minerals, herbal remedies, and traditional medicines, can support your health. But “natural” does not always mean “safe”. Talking with a care provider before taking any of these products can help. For example, some products may not work well with certain medications that you’re already taking, and other products may have unwanted side effects.

ISMP Canada received a report about a person who changed their magnesium product. The label on the new product said it had “High Absorption” and promoted “Healthy Bones and Muscle Function”, so the person thought it would be better. However, for months after starting the new product, the person had diarrhea and didn’t know why. Later, when talking with their pharmacist, they learned that this type of magnesium was more likely to cause diarrhea than their previous product.

• Look for a product with a Natural Product Number (NPN) or Homeopathic Medicine Number (DIN-HM) on the label. This indicates the product has been approved by Health Canada.
• Follow the directions on the labels. Before you buy, check for any cautions or warnings.
• Speak with your pharmacist. They can help you select the right product and answer your questions.
• Watch for side effects. If you notice any changes to your health after starting a natural health product, talk to your health care provider.
• Keep an up-to-date list of your medications and include natural health products. A list is helpful when you meet with your health care team.

You can consult the Licensed Natural Health Products Database for more information.

If you experience an unwanted side effect from a natural health product, you can report it to Health Canada’s Canada Vigilance Program.

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Mederror newsletters are reviewed by consumers who are committed to improving medication safety. Learning from consumer reports is shared with health care providers through ISMP Canada publications. This newsletter shares information about safety medication practices, is noncommercial, and is therefore exempt from Canadian anti-spam legislation. *Funding support provided by Health Canada. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the views of Health Canada. Mederror is a component of the Canadian Medication Incident Reporting and Learning Prevention System (CMIRPS).