Question

A health care professional obtaining a patient's health history discovers that the patient takes loratadine (Claritin), an over-the-counter drug. Which of the following information about over-the-counter drugs is correct? (select all that apply)

A. they do not require supervision of a health care professional
B. They can interact with other drugs
C. They should be included in the drugs history assessment
D. They are less effective than prescription drugs
E. they do not cause toxicity

Answer 1

OTC drugs like loratadine can interact with other medications and should be included in a patient's drug history. They do not always require healthcare supervision and can vary in effectiveness and potential for toxicity.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct information about over-the-counter (OTC) drugs like loratadine (Claritin) includes the following: B. They can interact with other drugs, and C. They should be included in the drug history assessment. OTC drugs do not always require the supervision of a healthcare professional, as some are previously approved prescription drugs found safe enough for unsupervised use. However, it is a misconception that OTC drugs are inherently less effective or that they do not cause toxicity; their effectiveness and safety depend on the condition being treated and on following proper dosing guidelines, respectively.

OTC antihistamines like loratadine are commonly used for short-term relief from allergy symptoms, but chronic allergies may necessitate longer-term treatment plans or stronger medications, thus requiring professional consultation.