Before any health visit, procedure, or surgery, bring a complete, written list of everything you take: prescription medicines, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbal products, and any relaxation or mind-body practice you use regularly. Some dietary supplements can increase bleeding risk or change how your body responds to anesthesia, and your provider can only account for that if they know about it ahead of time.
If you have severe symptoms, don't wait
If you have severe or long-lasting symptoms of any kind, including anxiety or low mood that does not lift, see a health care provider promptly. These can signal a condition that needs timely treatment. If you notice a side effect you believe is linked to a supplement, stop taking it and contact your health care provider; you may also want to contact the supplement's manufacturer. For any medical emergency, call your local emergency services rather than waiting for a scheduled appointment.
Why full disclosure matters
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), part of the National Institutes of Health, puts it directly: take charge of your health by talking with your health care providers about any complementary health approaches you use. That includes supplements you buy over the counter, herbal products, and practices like meditation or breathing exercises, not just what a doctor prescribed.
This matters most before a procedure. NCCIH notes that certain dietary supplements may increase the risk of bleeding or affect how you respond to anesthesia. Tell your care team about every supplement you take as far in advance of a surgery or procedure as possible, not the morning of.
An evidence ladder: what's established, what's cautious, what's unknown
Not all guidance carries the same weight. Here is how it breaks down, from firm to uncertain.
- Established: Some dietary supplements can raise bleeding risk or interact with anesthesia, which is why disclosure before a procedure is a standard safety step, according to NCCIH.
- Established: Relaxation techniques such as breathing exercises and meditation are generally considered safe for healthy people, and most research studies report no negative side effects.
- Use caution: Many dietary supplements have not been tested in people who are pregnant, nursing, trying to become pregnant, or considering giving a supplement to a child. NCCIH flags this as a specific gap, not a blanket warning against all use.
- Use caution: NCCIH notes rare reports that certain relaxation techniques might cause or worsen symptoms in people with epilepsy, certain psychiatric conditions, or a history of abuse or trauma.
- Unknown or not addressed here: Neither source names which specific supplements or herbs are highest-risk for a given procedure. That depends on your individual health history and the specific procedure, which is exactly why the disclosure conversation with a qualified provider, not a general article, is the step that closes this gap.
Your complete disclosure checklist
Use this list to prepare for any visit, whether it is a routine appointment, a specialist consultation, or a pre-procedure workup. Write it down; do not rely on memory in the room.
- Prescription medications: name, dose, and how often you take each one.
- Over-the-counter drugs: pain relievers, allergy medicine, sleep aids, or anything else you take without a prescription.
- Vitamins and minerals: including multivitamins, even ones you consider routine.
- Herbal or botanical supplements: the full product name, since many contain multiple ingredients.
- Other dietary supplements: protein powders, probiotics, or specialty formulas.
- Relaxation or mind-body practices: meditation, breathing exercises, guided imagery, or similar techniques you use regularly, especially if you have epilepsy, a psychiatric condition, or a history of abuse or trauma.
- Pregnancy, nursing, or family-planning status: mention this before starting or continuing any supplement, since testing in these groups is often limited.
- Any side effect you've noticed: even something minor, tied to a supplement or practice you started recently.
- Upcoming procedures or surgeries: bring this list well before the date, not the day of, so your care team has time to review it.
Bringing this list to a visit
Integrative Health Evidence Guide's frequently asked questions page outlines a two-visit process: an initial visit focused on a thorough history and a brief exam, followed by a second visit covering a full physical exam and a review of results. A written disclosure list is useful at that first visit, since a thorough history is exactly where this information belongs. You can read more about the practice's overall approach on the Integrative Health Evidence Guide home page.
Medical disclaimer
This article is for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice. It does not diagnose any condition, recommend any treatment, or replace a conversation with a qualified health care provider. Do not start, stop, or change any medication or supplement based on this article. If you have a medical emergency, contact your local emergency services immediately.
By the Integrative Health Evidence Guide Team. Last updated September 17, 2026.