The safety of commonly used vitamins and minerals

Dietary supplements are the most common type of complementary medicine in Australia, reportedly used by 47% of the population. Vitamins and minerals are particularly popular. Like all medicines, supplements can cause potential harms such as adverse reactions, drug interactions, monetary cost, delay of more effective therapy, false hope, and increased medication burden. Although most vitamins and minerals are available for open sale, many are subject to legal restrictions as scheduled medicines, depending on the dose. Consumers are at risk of overdose when the same ingredient is present in multiple products. Health professionals can assist consumers by discussing the potential benefits and harms of vitamins and minerals and assisting them to find authoritative information. Adverse events with vitamins and minerals should be reported to the Therapeutic Goods Administration.