PATIENTS taking complementary medicines have been formally advised to "reveal all to your pharmacist" in order to stay safe, according to a new update from NPS MedicineWise.
NPS noted that almost seven million Australians were taking some form of complementary medicine every day, reminding consumers that "complementary medicines should be treated like other medicines.
"Complementary medicines may interact with your prescription and over-the-counter medicines which may cause you harm, so reveal all your medicines to your pharmacist before you buy a complementary medicines," NPS MedicineWise said.
A survey commissioned by the organisation found that just 20% of Australians "never" take a complementary medicine, while about eight million people take two or more CMs in any given week.
The same Galaxy poll found that of Australians taking complementary medicines every day, 59% also take daily doses of prescription medications.
NPS MedicineWise medical adviser Jill Thistlethwaite said for people taking complementary medicines, "your pharmacist can give you advice on which are safe for you to take".
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