Date Posted: July 20, 2026

Author/s: Janelle Bianca G. Jimenez, Nathaniel M. Estacio, Hannah Karyle G. Lopez, Charm Trixie I. Serrano, Maxine Renee V. Villasan, Jasmin D. Acosta, RPh, MSc., Jebb Patrick M. Delos Santos, RPh, MPH

Background: The popularity of food and dietary supplements in the Philippines has grown due to health and wellness concerns and social media influence. In 2022, 59% of Filipinos used dietary supplements. Despite Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval, concerns about safety, effectiveness and drugsupplement interactions persist, resulting in over 23,000 emergency visits (2015). Given the widespread use of supplements, particularly among patients with complex health conditions, a retrospective chart review is needed to assess supplement use in Level 3 hospitals.

Objectives: This study assesses the prevalence of utilization of food and dietary supplements among in-patients at a Level 3 hospital and evaluates the potential drug-supplement interactions.

Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional descriptive study was utilized. This study reviewed the in-patient medical records from the Internal Medicine Department of a level 3 hospital from January to June 2022. Results: With a total of 663 patient charts, 73.75% were found to be using food or dietary supplements. Among these users, 44.78% were middle-aged adults ages ranging from 35 to 60 years old, and 61.75% were females. The most commonly consumed supplements fall under the category “others” (38.24%), specifically multivitamins + minerals + botanicals, followed by minerals (21.42%), vitamins (19.1%), amino acids (15.55%), botanicals (5.1%), and probiotics (0.58%). Within the analyzed 1252 supplement-drug combinations, 61.67% were found to have potential drug-supplement interactions. Among them, most prevalent drug-supplement interactions were Calcium + Amlodipine, which showed moderate severity, Potassium Chloride + Losartan, also with moderate severity, and Ferrous Sulfate + Pantoprazole, with minor severity.

Conclusion: Given this significant interaction between supplements and drugs, it is essential to consider what actions should be taken to address these interactions effectively. Hence, understanding these trends can help healthcare professionals provide safer treatment regimens for patients using supplements alongside their medications.

Keywords: Food supplement, nutraceuticals