Most lupus patients take dietary supplements — and nearly 1 in 3 may be at risk. A new study found that over 80% of lupus patients use at least one supplement, with nearly 30% taking a supplement-medication combo that could cause a clinically meaningful interaction. Experts say it's time for rheumatologists to routinely ask about supplements, just like they do with prescription meds.
Most people with lupus are reaching for supplements — and their doctors may not know it. A new study published in Arthritis Care & Research analyzed data from 451 adults with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and found that more than 80% used at least one dietary supplement, with over half taking two or more. The most popular? Vitamin D (64%), multivitamins (45%), and calcium (30%).
The concern isn't the supplements themselves — it's the combinations. Nearly 30% of patients were taking at least one supplement-medication pairing with the potential for a clinically meaningful interaction. Patients on more prescription drugs, those with greater lupus-related damage, and those with recent primary care visits were most likely to have these risky combos.
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Why it matters: Lupus patients often take immunosuppressive therapies, and even "harmless" over-the-counter supplements can alter how those drugs are absorbed or metabolized. Experts are calling on rheumatologists and primary care providers to routinely screen for supplement use and engage in individualized counseling — not to discourage supplements outright, but to ensure patients stay safe.
