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Did You Know? That Colorful Tablet or Supplement Isn’t Just for Looks
Did You Know? That Colorful Tablet or Supplement Isn’t Just for Looks
When you reach for an over-the-counter (OTC) medicine or take a dietary supplement, you’re probably thinking more about how it works, not its color or coating. But in today’s climate, where information (and misinformation) is everywhere, we understand you want the facts about what’s in your self-care products.
The short answer: Those colors, coatings, and ingredients on the label actually play a big role in the quality, safety, and trust of the products you rely on daily.
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Did You Know? That Colorful Tablet or Supplement Isn’t Just for Looks
Did You Know? That Colorful Tablet or Supplement Isn’t Just for Looks
Did You Know? That Colorful Tablet or Supplement Isn’t Just for Looks
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When you reach for an over-the-counter (OTC) medicine or take a dietary supplement, you’re probably thinking more about how it works, not its color or coating. But in today’s climate, where information (and misinformation) is everywhere, we understand you want the facts about what’s in your self-care products.
The short answer: Those colors, coatings, and ingredients on the label actually play a big role in the quality, safety, and trust of the products you rely on daily.
DID YOU KNOW? Colors and Dyes Help You Avoid Dangerous Mix-Ups
Many OTC medications and dietary supplements come in similar shapes and sizes—especially pills, tablets, capsules, and liquids. Colors and dyes are additives that help to distinguish products that have very different ingredients and purposes, so they don’t all look identical (think: pain relievers vs. sleep aids vs. vitamins, etc.).
Their use in medications and supplements help reduce the risk of taking the wrong product or using the wrong dose. This can be especially helpful for:
- Older adults managing multiple medications with different strengths and schedules.
- Parents and caregivers who need to clearly see the fill line on a dosing cup even in low light.
- Individuals with limited vision who rely on color to tell products apart.
- Caregivers who administer medicines for others and need to avoid confusion.
- Pharmacists who use color cues to help ensure the correct medication is selected and dispensed.
BOTTOM LINE: Colors and dyes—whether from natural sources like plants or minerals or made artificially—are carefully selected and thoroughly tested to meet strict safety standards. They play a big role in the safe use of your medicines and supplements, making sure you take the right healthcare product and avoid potentially harmful mistakes.
When people hear “additive,” they often think “unnecessary.” But in reality, additives in OTC medicines and dietary supplements are carefully chosen for several key reasons—far beyond just filling space. From making a pill dissolve correctly, to maintaining the strength and integrity of the pill, to preserving its shelf-life and stability, to making a liquid product palatable, to making the pill easier to swallow—additives help medicines and supplements do what they’re supposed to do.
Here are some of the key additive types in medicines that you should be aware of:
- Binders – hold the shape and size of the pill together
- Disintegrants – help the pill break down properly in your body
- Stabilizers – help protect the pill from breaking down or becoming less effective over time due to factors like moisture, heat, light, or oxygen
- Preservatives – make sure germs won’t grow in the pill or liquid
- Flavors – make it easier to take your pill or liquid
PRO TIP: Make sure to read the Drug Facts Label or Supplement Facts Label to better understand what is included in the product.
BOTTOM LINE: Without additives, products may degrade, become hard to swallow, or even lose effectiveness. Far from being “extra,” additives help ensure that the medicine or supplement is delivered in the safest way.
DID YOU KNOW? Colors, Dyes & Other Additives Are Carefully Chosen for Safety and Purpose
There’s a lot of concern today about what’s in our products, but colors and other additives currently used already meet strict safety standards. And, in fact, they are only used in tiny, well-studied amounts that have a clear purpose in helping your healthcare products work better and make them easier and safer to use.
These ingredients must be:
- FDA approved for safety
- Used in extremely small, precise amounts proven safe at their intended levels
- Consistently manufactured with the highest quality standards
- Clearly labeled, so you know what’s inside.
BOTTOM LINE: These aren’t mystery ingredients—they’re listed on the label, backed by science, experience, and the needs of people like you. In fact, they are among the most extensively studied ingredients in the world. The science is clear: colors and other additive ingredients are considered safe by FDA when used as intended and within the established concentrations.
A NOTE ABOUT DYE-FREE PRODUCTS: Dye-free medications and supplements are a great option for individuals who prefer or require products without dyes, such as those with allergies, sensitivities, or personal preferences. Importantly, both dye-containing and dye-free options are held to the same rigorous safety and quality standards. If you’re unsure which is right for you or your family, talk to your pharmacist or healthcare provider. They can help you choose the option that best suits your needs.
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Want to keep this information handy or share it with others? Download the printable flyer of this article for a quick, easy-to-understand overview of how colors and additives support the safe use of medicines and supplements.
References:
- http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/30/AR2005093001998.html
- http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/drug-information/DR602285/DSECTION=precautions-
- http://www.drugs.com/drug-interactions/multivitamin.html
- http://www.naturemade.com/resource-center/articles-and-videos/immune-health/timing-your-vitamins
- http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/912.html
- http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminA-HealthProfessional/
- http://www.prevention.com/food/healthy-eating-tips/your-breakfast-giving-you-cancer
- http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iron-HealthProfessional/
- http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/yf/foods/fn1607.pdf
- http://www.fda.gov/Food/DietarySupplements/UsingDietarySupplements/ucm110567.htm