Both supplements and drugs may be used for health reasons. This is why many people just assume that the same safety precautions and regulations apply to both products. Actually, this is not true.

Supplements tend to face regulations after they go out onto the market, while medications encounter regulations before they go onto the market. This means there are fewer notable safety precautions for supplements. You can learn more here about the differences between supplements vs drugs.

FDA Reviews  

The FDA, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, requires medications to undergo thorough evaluation before it approves them for consumer use. The agency assesses all aspects of the medication, even its packaging. It subjects medications to clinical trials and determines how the medications can be manufactured.

On the other hand, the agency does not subject supplements to a similar evaluation process and does not test such products before they go out onto the market. Supplements can be shipped and distributed to consumers without the extensive evaluation that medications undergo, which may be dangerous for unsuspecting consumers.

Ingredient Labels  

Over-the-counter (OTC) medications sold in the United States are required to list their ingredients on their labels in a section called Drug Facts. Manufacturers of prescription drugs also have to include information about their products.

Ingredients in U.S. medications undergo quality control analysis. This helps to ensure their safety before medications reach the public. It also helps analyze aspects of the drugs, such as whether they may cause side effects.

Manufacturers of supplements can and have misidentified substances. They may also fail to test these substances properly. Supplements may thus be dangerous. People have even become addicted to these substances. If you have become addicted, there are addiction treatment programs to help you to stop using them.

Safety Before the Sale  

Consumers need to be protected. Government regulations determine if medications are safe before they go onto the market. Medications have to undergo regulations and pass rigorous safety processes before consumers may obtain them. As long as people do not abuse such medications, they may be safer products for consumers.

For supplements, there is no such guarantee of safety. Since they enter the market without rigorous testing or performance checks, some are dangerous or illegal, yet they may still meet consumers.

Eliminating or Minimizing Your Risk  

People need to be protected. Consider checking the Global DRO, or the Global Drug Reference Online. This guide allows you to check the status of certain medications. You may research whether they are prohibited or not. You may research their ingredients and the brands to see if there are any claims or dangers listed for them.

It is also possible to minimize your risk when it comes to supplements. Sites such as Supplement 411have tools to help athletes and other people recognize the potential risks of certain supplements.

Another way to learn about supplements is check the website of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA). The site has searchable lists of banned substances as well as a hotline that provides answers on banned substances, which include supplements.

The truth is that people can become addicted to supplements or drugs. If you want to know the differences between supplements vs drugs, now you have some idea of the regulations and dangers surrounding both types of products.

If you are interested in using supplements in place of drugs, learn more about supplements vs drugs before taking anything. Contact an addiction treatment center right away if you believe you are addicted. You deserve to be safe and protected. Make the call today to learn more about how you can find help.