This post was written by Christina Sethman, PharmD, pharmacy, Parkview Health.
Vitamin patches can sound enticing to people with digestive issues that inhibit nutrition absorption or anyone who has trouble swallowing pills. While they may offer a potential workaround, some question whether vitamin patches work as well as they claim and if they are safe.
What is a transdermal patch?
Transdermal patches are external medication delivery systems that slowly release medication through the skin and into the bloodstream.
Applying topical medications to the skin is not a new idea. Salves, ointments, potions and patches containing plant, animal or mineral extracts were popular in ancient Egypt and Babylonian medicine around 3000 BC. However, routine use of the transdermal delivery systems that we are familiar with today has only been common practice since the 1970s.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first patch for motion sickness in 1979. Since then, others have been approved for treating nicotine dependence, pain and birth control. Many prescription patches contain specially designed technology, which allows the medicine to penetrate the skin more effectively.
Do vitamin patches work?
Recently, vitamin patches have attracted a lot of media attention. You can find them virtually anywhere, from online vendors to local drug stores. They claim to cure hangovers, ward off insects, calm nerves, provide focus, promote sleep and even enhance athletic performance. These supplements can contain combinations of vitamins such as vitamins B, D and C, herbs or stimulants like caffeine.
Their claim to fame is that wearing one of these patches would allow for the transfer of the vitamins or substances into the body, eliminating the need to take supplements by mouth. However, evidence is limited to support the safety and effectiveness of vitamin patch use.
This is especially true for gastric bypass patients, a population that many advertisements specifically target. One study published in 2019 looked at a small number of gastric bypass patients who were given supplemental vitamins in either pills or patches. Subjects in the patch group showed significantly lower levels of vitamins D, B1 and B12 than those taking oral supplements.
According to another scientific review of transdermal patches, not all vitamins are appropriate for transdermal delivery. The authors noted that getting certain nutrients across the physical barrier of the skin is a common challenge due to their chemical composition and limited ability to be absorbed through the skin.
Risks
Unlike prescription medications, dietary supplements like vitamin patches do not require approval from the FDA before being sold to the public. This means these products lack the appropriate testing to ensure safety and efficacy. Due to the lack of safety data, risks of using patches can include skin irritations and allergic skin reactions such as blistering, itching, peeling or redness. Other disadvantages of these products include increased costs and trouble with patches sticking due to body hair or oily skin.
Bottom line
While vitamin patches may be trendy, much more research is needed before they can be assumed to be safe or effective. A well-balanced diet can help ensure your body is receiving the vitamins it needs to stay healthy. Consult with your doctor or pharmacist before trying a vitamin patch, especially if you have undergone surgery, are taking prescription medications or have a medical condition.
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