BACKGROUND: Post the COVID-19 Pandemic, there was a spike in demand for immunity boosters, leading to irrational use of supplements.

OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the usage pattern and side effects of various immunity boosters; among the citizens of Pune District.

METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2020 to May 2021. Data was collected by personal interview and e-form circulation using a self validated questionnaire. The correlation of the immunity boosters with the side effects was done using Karl Pearson's Correlation test in SPSS version 22.0.

RESULT: Out of 1006, the ayurvedic/ home remedies were preferred by 906 (98%) allopathic supplements by 599 (65%) and homeopathic supplements by 256 (28%) participants. Commonly reported side effects were acidity (37%), headache (29.6%), nausea (9%), loss of appetite (8.8%), diarrhoea (7%), stomach ache (6%), cough (5.6%), and constipation (4.1%). These side effects were strongly correlated with ayurvedic supplements such as Amla (r=0.17), Giloy Vati (r=0.14), Turmeric (r= 0.13) and Kadha (r= 0.1); where r= Pearson?s Correlation Coefficient. Also, Eupatorium perfoliatum, Vitamin C, and Vitamin D showed a positive correlation with loss of appetite (r=0.15), headache (r=0.12), and cough (r=0.11), respectively. A higher incidence of side effects such as nausea (r=0.28), diarrhoea (r=0.24), and acidity (r=0.15) were observed when supplements were taken for more than six months.

CONCLUSION: The study findings implied strong correlation between the consumption of immunity supplements and the reported side effects. The majority of side effects including constipation, acidity, loss of appetite, and cough were found to be associated with supplements like kadha, turmeric, Eupatorium perfoliatum and zinc. Acidity, headache and nausea were the side effects induced when these supplements were consumed for six months or longer leading GI issues such as bleeding and stomach ulcers.

Keywords : COVID-19, Immunity Supplements, Side Effects