| Dietary supplements may be sold without detailed scientific evidence of their safety and effectiveness.
Therefore, short- and long-term risks and benefits have not always been assessed for supplements designed specifically for
children. Here are some common supplements. |
|
|
Uses |
Safety |
Effectiveness |
St. John's wort
|
To treat depression and associated symptoms, including
fatigue, appetite loss, insomnia, anxiety and nervous unrest. |
Probably safe when used for short-term medicinal purposes. Can
cause insomnia, restlessness, anxiety, irritability, fatigue, dry mouth, dizziness, headache and mania in depressed patients. |
Probably effective in treating mild to moderate depression, and possibly effective when used for physical symptoms associated
with mild depression or to treat anxiety. |
Creatine
|
To increase exercise performance and muscle mass in athletes and older
adults. Also used to treat heart failure. |
Possibly safe when used appropriately, but there is insufficient data on safety of
long-term use. Can cause nausea and diarrhea. Athletes report muscle cramping. | Possibly effective when used to enhance
muscle performance during brief, high-intensity exercise. Likely ineffective when used for increasing endurance. |
Echinacea
|
For treating or preventing colds and other upper respiratory infections. Also as an antiseptic, antiviral and immune stimulant,
dilator of blood vessels and treatment for urinary infections. |
Likely safe when daily use is limited. There is concern that
long-term use might depress immunity. Can cause allergic reactions, including acute asthma and hives. |
Possibly effective as
therapy for influenza-like infections, or for shortening the duration of colds and as supportive treatment for respiratory infections. |
DMAE, or
Dimethylaminoethanol
|
For treating attention deficit disorder, enhancing memory and mood, boosting cognitive function,
increasing physical energy and improving athletic performance. |
Possibly safe when used appropriately. Can cause constipation,
hives, headache, drowsiness, insomnia, confusion, depression, elevated blood pressure and mania. |
Possibly effective in
combination with other supplements in improving exercise performance. Clinical studies of use in treating attention deficit disorder
have been inconclusive. |
Gingko Biloba
|
To treat cerebral conditions and to increase alertness. Also used to improve
cognitive function and sleep in depressed patients. |
Likely safe when used appropriately, unsafe when used intravenously. May
cause gastrointenstinal pains. Large doses may cause restlessness, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. |
Possibly effective when used
to stabilize or improve cognitive function in patients with cerebral conditions, or when used to treat dizziness and headache. |
Ephedra
also known
as ma huang
|
For asthma, bronchitis, allergic disorders, and as a stimulant and appetite suppressant.
Used for weight loss in combination with other herbal products. |
Possibly safe when used short-term. Likely unsafe in high
doses or long-term. Can cause dependence. Adverse reactions include anxiety, insomnia, high blood pressure and heart failure.
|
Effective in short-term treatment of diseases of the respiratory tract. Likely ineffective when taken as a single agent for weight
loss. Insufficient reliable information about other uses. |
Valerian
|
As a sedative and for mood disorders such as depression,
infantile convulsions, epilepsy and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. |
Possibly unsafe when used long-term or in high doses.
Can cause headache, excitability, uneasiness, cardiac disturbances and insomnia and occasionally morning drowsiness. |
Possibly
effective when used for improving sleep quality and for improving mood and concentration. |
Melissa
(lemon balm)
|
As a
digestive, mild tranquilizer and for stimulating appetite. Traditionally used to promote sweating, and to treat nervous problems,
insomnia, cramps, headache and toothache. |
Possibly safe when used on a short-term basis – no more than 14 days. Hypersensitivity reactions have been reported. |
Possibly effective when used for nervous sleeping disorders and gastrointestinal
pains or for topical treatment of cold sores. |
Source: National Medicines Comprehensive Database
Back to Main Article
|
