People often don’t think about over-the-counter (OTC) drugs when a health professional asks if they are taking any medications. OTC drugs can include things like pain relievers, allergy medications, and even herbal supplements. Mixing doctor-prescribed and OTC medications can present numerous problems related to dangerous drug interactions. Interactions can cause simple reactions such as rashes, or more serious reactions such as difficulty breathing or seizures. Certain ingredients in medications can also overlap, meaning the patient is ingesting more than the recommended amount of a certain ingredient. To prevent dangerous interactions between OTC and doctor-prescribed medications, tell your pharmacist or health professional about ALL drugs and natural products you are taking.
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