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How Much Do You Know About Medicine Interactions?

Every year thousands of people have problems when the medicines they take interact with each other. This might be between prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medicines. Or it might be between medicines and herbal products. Other interactions can happen between medicines and certain foods or health conditions. Learn what you can do to prevent these interactions by taking this quiz.

1. Many things can change how well a medicine works.
2. When 2 medicines interact with each other, it creates a "helpful" side effect.
3. A medicine-food interaction happens when a medicine interacts with a substance in a food or drink.
4. A medicine-alcohol interaction can make you very sleepy.
5. A medicine-condition interaction happens when a medicine harms you when you have a health condition.
6. OTC and prescription medicines don't interact with herbal remedies and supplements.
7. Use the same pharmacy for all your prescriptions to make medicine interactions less likely.
8. You don't need to read the labels of OTC medicines if you have taken them before.
9. Talk with your pharmacist or healthcare provider before taking any new OTC medicine.
10. If you have a medicine interaction, call your healthcare provider.

Medical Reviewers:

  • Fraser, Marianne, MSN, RN
  • Sather, Rita, RN
  • Wojcik, Stacey, MBA, BSN