Most Australians use some form of complementary medicine, and many never mention it to their GP. That silence creates real risks, from interactions with prescribed medicines to care that is duplicated or pulls in different directions. The fix is simple in principle: open conversations in both directions, so every practitioner involved has the full picture.

How common complementary medicine use is

Complementary medicine is part of everyday health care for a large share of the country. A national survey published in Scientific Reports in 2018 found that 63.1% of Australian adults had used some form of complementary medicine in the previous 12 months. Around 36% had consulted a complementary medicine practitioner, and almost half had used vitamin or mineral supplements. Massage therapists, chiropractors and yoga teachers were the practitioners people saw most often.

These figures describe ordinary patients in ordinary general practices. The authors encouraged medical providers to actively ask about complementary medicine use, since patients are more likely than not to be using it.

The disclosure gap

Using complementary medicine is common. Telling a doctor about it is much less so. A 2019 systematic review and meta-analysis in Scientific Reports, drawing on 86 studies, found a disclosure rate of just 33% for biologically based complementary medicines such as herbs and supplements. In other words, around two in three people using them did not tell their medical provider.

The reasons people gave are revealing. They included not being asked, fear of disapproval, thinking it was not important, believing the doctor would not know much about complementary medicine, lack of time, and assuming that anything natural must be safe.

None of these reasons are unusual, and none of them come from bad intentions. But together they mean that important information often never reaches the person prescribing medicines or coordinating care.

Why non-disclosure is a risk

The clearest risk is interactions. Healthdirect advises people to always let their doctor or pharmacist know what prescription, over-the-counter and complementary medicines they are taking, because some can interact with prescribed medicines and stop them working as expected. Australia’s medicines regulator has issued safety alerts in the past about interactions between particular herbal preparations and prescription medicines, which shows this is a practical concern rather than a theoretical one.

There are quieter risks too. When practitioners do not know about each other, care can be duplicated, advice can conflict, and changes in symptoms can be put down to the wrong cause. Someone may stop a prescribed medicine because they feel better, without realising a complementary product and the medicine were affecting each other. Or a new symptom may be investigated from scratch when the explanation sits in a supplement nobody asked about.

What good coordination looks like

Good coordination is not about choosing one side. Many people value both their GP and their complementary practitioner, and they are entitled to make informed choices about their own health. What matters is that everyone involved is working from the same information.

For patients, that starts with telling each practitioner about the others, and telling their GP and pharmacist about everything they take, including vitamins, herbal products and therapies such as massage or acupuncture. A written list, kept up to date and brought to appointments, makes this much easier.

For GPs, it means asking the question openly and without judgement. In a 2019 newsGP article, a professor of general practice put it simply: GPs should explicitly ask about over-the-counter treatments their patients are taking. When patients expect a neutral question rather than a lecture, they are more likely to answer honestly.

Complementary practitioners have a part to play as well. That means encouraging clients to keep their GP informed, asking about current medicines and diagnoses, and recognising when symptoms need medical assessment rather than more time. It also means never suggesting that someone stop or avoid treatment their doctor has recommended. Models of integrated holistic care are built around this principle, with complementary approaches positioned alongside medical care rather than in competition with it.

When to talk to your GP first

Some situations call for a conversation with your GP before starting any new complementary product or therapy. These include being pregnant or breastfeeding, taking prescription medicines, having an operation coming up, or managing an ongoing health condition.

New, worsening or unexplained symptoms should also be checked by a doctor rather than managed alone. Your pharmacist is also a good person to ask about possible interactions before you start something new.

Key Things to Know About Working Alongside Your GP

Complementary medicine use is mainstream. Around six in ten Australian adults use some form of it each year.

Most people do not tell their doctor. Studies suggest around two in three people using herbs and supplements do not disclose them, often simply because nobody asked.

Non-disclosure carries real risks. Interactions with prescribed medicines and conflicting or duplicated care are the main concerns.

Good coordination runs both ways. Patients share the full picture, GPs ask without judgement, and complementary practitioners support medical care rather than replace it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use complementary therapies while taking prescription medication? Sometimes, but check first. Some complementary medicines and supplements can interact with prescription medicines and change how they work. Tell your GP or pharmacist about everything you take, including herbs, vitamins and supplements, before you start. Don’t stop or change a prescribed medicine without medical advice.

Can my GP and complementary practitioner communicate directly? Yes, with your consent. You can ask each practitioner to share a summary of your care, which helps keep advice consistent. If direct contact isn’t practical, bring a written list of your current treatments, medicines and supplements to each appointment.

What if I’ve already started complementary therapy without telling my GP? Tell your GP at your next appointment, or sooner if you take supplements alongside prescription medicines or notice new symptoms. Share what you’re using, the doses and when you started. It’s a common situation, and the aim is to keep your care safe, not to judge your choices.

The information in this article is general in nature and is not a substitute for personalised medical advice. Speak with your doctor about your individual circumstances.