1.    Know which vitamins may cause interactions with medications you take on a regular basis.

When we think of supplements, we think of “all- natural” products promoting health and wellness. However, natural doesn’t always equal safe.  In truth, supplements can interact with medications that you’re taking. This can be dangerous-and at times deadly.

So just what are the most common culprits when it comes to supplement/medication interactions?

According to Drugwatch, there are four ingredients found in some supplements that can cause a reaction when mixed with both prescribed and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. Those are: St. John’s wort, vitamin E, ginseng, and Gingko biloba.

St. John’s wort is a supplement used in the treatment of depression. However, when mixed with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), the combination can lead to something called serotonin syndrome. This means that too much serotonin is building up in the body. SSRI medications include: Citalopram (Celexa), Escitalopram (Lexapro), Fluoxetine (Prozac), Paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva), and Sertraline (Zoloft).

Another element of supplements that can cause a reaction with medications is vitamin E. Vitamin E is a vitamin commonly found in multivitamins. And mixed with the wrong medications, it can be dangerous.

According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, a number of interactions can occur with vitamin E and medications. To begin, vitamin E can compromise the absorption of certain psychiatric medications including: a tricyclic medication called desimpramine and an antipsychotic medication called chlorpromazine.   In addition, it can compromise the absorption of a beta-blocker called propranolol. It can also increase the risk of bleeding with the blood thinner warfarin.