The short version
- The FDA does not approve dietary supplements for safety or effectiveness before they are sold.
- Supplements can interact with medicines and with each other.
- Bring the product name and label to your doctor or pharmacist and ask the seven questions below.
How supplements are regulated
Medicines must be approved by the FDA before they can be sold. Supplements do not need this approval. The company that makes a supplement is responsible for its safety and for truthful label claims. The FDA can act against a product only after it is on the market.
Supplements are not intended to treat, diagnose, prevent or cure diseases.
The seven questions
The FDA suggests asking your health care professional:
- Am I taking the right product?
- Am I taking the right amount?
- Is there an upper limit I should not go above?
- How long should I take it?
- Are there any known side effects?
- Are there foods, medicines or other supplements I should avoid while taking it?
- If I am scheduled for surgery or lab work, should I stop it first?
Warning signs on a product
- It claims to treat or cure a disease.
- It says it works better than a prescription medicine, is “totally safe” or has “no side effects”.
- The promise sounds too good to be true.
The word “natural” does not mean a product is safe. A quality seal on the bottle shows it was tested for what it contains. The NIH notes that such seals do not guarantee a product is safe or effective.
If you have a problem
Stop taking the product and contact your doctor. In the United States you can report a serious problem to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
This site lists supplements from other sellers. Use these questions for any product you see here. Our ingredient pages summarize what the NIH says about common ingredients.
Questions
Does the FDA approve supplements?
No. The FDA states that it does not have the authority to approve dietary supplements for safety and effectiveness before they are marketed.
Should I tell my doctor about supplements I take?
Yes. The FDA advises talking to your doctor, pharmacist or other health professional before deciding to buy or use a supplement, because some interact with medicines.
Sources
- FDA, Questions and Answers on Dietary Supplements
- FDA, Be an Informed Consumer (dietary supplements)
- NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, Dietary Supplements: What You Need to Know
Checked November 14, 2026.
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