Over-the-counter medications: Do you know what your patients are taking?

The pharmacopeia of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs is ever expanding, and many of these nonprescription agents cause a variety of adverse drug-drug and drug-patient interactions. It is therefore essential that physicians be aware of the more than 700 active ingredients available in OTC drugs at the local store and make a concerted effort to identify which ones their patients are taking. Healthcare providers also need to educate patients about the potential effects of OTC drugs and encourage them to consult either their physician or their pharmacist before attempting self-medication.