Joint Supplements and Your Parent's Other Medicines: Interactions to Check First

Joint Supplements and Your Parent's Other Medicines: Interactions to Check First

When joint supplements are used alongside your parent’s medicines to relieve some of the burden of daily drug management, it also introduces the chances of interactions with other medicines.

One pill for blood pressure, one for diabetes, one for joint discomfort, and several drugs to manage chronic health conditions may create a complicated routine. Ingredients found in joint supplements may interfere with blood clotting, blood sugar, blood pressure, digestion, or the absorption of prescription drugs.

Before adding a joint supplement, the full ingredient list should be compared to the parent’s other medicines, and the parent should be consulted, as well as the doctor or pharmacist. Basing the decision to change the dose on personal judgment should be avoided. The history of the parent’s health, kidney function, liver function, allergies, and existing conditions should be considered.

Why Supplement Interactions Should Be of Concern

Older adults usually take several different medicines for the management of several health conditions. This denotes a higher probability of conflicts. A supplement can interfere with a medicine, cause an adverse drug reaction, and/or influence the concentration of the medicine in the blood.

Interactions of greater concern occur when the caregiver selects a product based solely on name while ignoring the ingredients. Two different joint supplements, for instance, can have different combinations of glucosamine, chondroitin, turmeric, boswellia, MSM, collagen, minerals, and herbal extracts.

Keep an updated inventory of the following:

• Prescribed medications
• Over-the-counter pain relievers
• Blood thinners
• Diabetes medications
• Blood pressure medications
• Vitamins and minerals
• Herbal supplements
• Past adverse drug reactions

Bring that inventory with you, along with supplement bottles or a photograph of a supplement bottle label, to the pharmacist.

Blood Thinners and Bleeding Risk

Blood thinners require some special considerations. Warfarin, apixaban, rivaroxaban, dabigatran, clopidogrel, and aspirin have different effects on bleeding.

There is a bleeding risk with some joint supplement ingredients. Ingredients that have the highest level of concern when combined with medicines that affect the clotting process include chondroitin, curcumin or turmeric, boswellia, glucosamine, and concentrated omega-3s. These should be brought to the pharmacist’s attention, as the level of risk can vary by dose and product quality along with your parent’s care.

Be aware of the following signs of bleeding:

• Frequent nosebleeds
• Bleeding gums
• Dark or bloody stools
• Pink or red urine
• Unexplained large bruises
• Vomiting blood
• Sudden weakness, confusion, or severe headache

Bleeding may require urgent care. Do not stop a prescription blood thinner without talking to the doctor.

Medicines for Diabetes and Changes in Blood Sugar Levels

Some joint comfort supplements contain ingredients that have an effect on blood sugar levels. Glucosamine has been the subject of some blood sugar level studies and has concerned some people, though studies have been mixed. Closer blood sugar level monitoring by a healthcare professional is recommended, especially when starting and stopping a supplement, for a person who is taking diabetes medication or insulin.

Does your parent’s diabetes care team recommend more frequent blood sugar checks for the first few weeks? Look for symptoms such as sweating, shaking, confusion, excessive sleepiness, excessive thirst, frequent urination, and weakness.

Just because an herbal supplement claims to support joint health doesn't mean it can take the place of a prescribed treatment for diabetes. Insulin and prescribed tablets should not be reduced or skipped based on joint pain or even a blood glucose reading.

Blood Pressure, Heart Medicines, and Fluid Balance

Some herbal joint formulas may contain ingredients that can impact blood pressure or the balance of fluids in the body. This can be of concern if your parent is taking antihypertensive drugs, diuretics, heart or blood medicine, or medicine for an irregular heartbeat.

A sudden decrease in blood pressure can cause one to feel lightheaded, leading to a fall. Conversely, an increase in blood pressure can worsen heart symptoms. The doctor should review your parent's heart failure or kidney disease, uncontrolled blood pressure, or fainting.

Be concerned if you notice dizziness, swelling, or fluid retention, difficulty breathing, unusual fatigue, or a noticeable change in your parent's pulse following the use of a new product.

Pain Relievers and Stomach Problems

Ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac, or aspirin are frequently used by older people for joint pain. There is an increased concern due to the risk of bleeding if this class of pain relievers is combined with a supplement that carries a bleeding risk. Also, these pain relievers can have a long-term negative impact on the stomach and kidneys.

First, confirm with a pharmacist that the supplement will not interfere with your parent’s pain relief regimen. Ensure that you have determined the proper dose and frequency for each pain relief medication. Avoid taking multiple supplements for the same purpose without the proper guidance from a medical professional.

Immediately seek medical help for the following symptoms: black stools, constant stomach pain, constant vomiting, reduced urination, or sudden swelling.

Mineral Supplements and Thyroid Medications

Several medications can have reduced absorption when taken with calcium, iron, magnesium, or other minerals. A joint supplement containing minerals should be taken at a different time from thyroid medication.

The spacing schedule should be determined by either a pharmacist or doctor and should not be based on a general rule. The correct timing will depend on the medications and the entire list of medications. The schedule should be written down so all caregivers follow the same routine.

Kidney and Liver Conditions Change the Safety Picture

The kidneys and liver play a big part in processing medications and removing waste. Diseases such as chronic kidney and/or liver disease, dehydration, frailty, and maladaptive aging affect how the body responds to supplements.

A product that is safe for a family member to take may not be safe for an older adult with reduced kidney function and multiple chronic conditions. Joint supplements differ in strength and in the combination of ingredients. The label should be examined by a pharmacist for each of the medications prior to the supplement being used, including for patients who have had dialysis or have liver disease, cirrhosis, or take medications with a narrow therapeutic index.

Review of AGEasy Joint Care Comfort G 30 Days

The AGEasy Joint Care Comfort G 30 Days can be used as a supplement to support joint care planning, but should not be used in place of medications prescribed by your doctor.

This product should never be promoted as a cure for arthritis or in place of examinations, recommended physical therapy, weight management, or the treatment of pain. If your parent experiences any new rash, swelling of the face, difficulty breathing, severe stomach pain, or any other concerning reactions, stop the use of this product and contact your doctor or pharmacist.

A Safe Supplement Check Routine for Caregivers

Use the following routine before adding any joint supplement to your care regimen:

1. Create a list of every medicine, supplement, and pain reliever your parent uses.
2. Take pictures of the front, back, and ingredient list of the product.
3. Take your list to the pharmacist and ask about potential interactions and the recommended timing.
4. After their approval, begin use of the product with the recommended serving.
5. Record the start date, the serving size, and any symptoms you observe, as well as current readings of blood pressure and/or blood sugar.

Add only one new product at a time. It will help you identify a reaction. Do not start a supplement just before major changes in medications, surgical procedures, dental procedures, travel, or any significant changes to your care routine. Tell your surgeon, dentist, nurse, and anesthesiologist about every supplement you are taking.

When to See a Doctor for Joint Pain

In the event of a fall, joint pain that is accompanied by sudden swelling, restricted movement, pain while sleeping, fever, weight loss, or weakness is not something that could be addressed by the usual advice to take supplements. Joint pain that is accompanied by redness or swelling is also something that should be seen by a doctor. So should pain that is made worse by either a sharp change in temperature or a significant change in your level of activity.

If the pain lasts more than a couple of weeks or so, and if your normal activities of daily living are limited by pain, your parent should be assessed and may be diagnosed and treated. That may involve blood tests, imaging, etc. Your parent may have to adjust the dosages of one or more of their medications, may have to get some new medications, or may have to get some assistive devices. Even physiotherapy is possible.

The first thing your parent may have to do when undergoing this assessment and treatment is to undergo a comprehensive review of their medications. There may be room to incorporate a joint supplement into their daily routine. However, there are numerous factors, such as their other medications, which would dictate whether such a supplement is right for them. A joint supplement may actually add value; however, always remember to get your parent's medications reviewed by a pharmacist first.

Disclaimer

This article is for general education and does not constitute medical advice or treatment. Always consult your parent's doctor and pharmacist before deciding to start, stop, or change any of your parent's medications or supplements.