OTC Drugs and Natural Health Products Flashcards
When reviewing a list of OTC drugs taken by a patient, the nurse recalls that the most commonly used OTC products currently available include which types of drugs?
a) Diuretics
b) Mild hypertensives
c) Acid-controlling drugs
d) Drugs for bladder control
c) Acid-controlling drugs
Which of the following points concerning natural health products is important for the nurse to communicate to patients?
a) Natural health and OTC drugs are not approved by health Canada and are under strict regulation
b) These products are scrutinized for safety and are tested repeatedly by health Canada
c) No adverse effects are associated with these agents because they are ‘natural’ and may be purchased without a prescription.
d) Labelling is not 100% reliable for the provision of proper instructions or warnings, and the products should be taken with caution
d) Labelling is not 100% reliable for the provision of proper instructions or warnings, and the products should be taken with caution
When taking a patient’s drug history, the nurse asks about OTC drugs. The patient responds by saying ‘Oh, I frequently take something for my headaches, but I didn’t mention it because aspirin is nonprescription’. What is the best response from the nurse?
a) Aspirin is one of the safest drugs out there
b) That’s true, OTC drugs are generally not harmful
c) Although aspirin is OCT, it is still important to know why you take it, how much you take it and how often
d) We need you to honest about the drugs you are taking, are there any others you have not told us about?
c) Although aspirin is OCT, it is still important to know why you take it, how much you take it and how often
When making a home visit to a patient who was recently discharged from the hospital, the nurse notes that she has a small pack over her chest and that the pack has a strong odour. She is also drinking herbal tea. When asked about the pack and the tea she says, ‘Oh my grandma never used medicine from the doctor. She told me that this plaster and tea were all the things I would need to fix things.’ Which of the following is the most appropriate response?
a) What’s in the plaster and tea? When do you usually use them?
b) You really should listen to what the doctor told you if you want to get better
c) These herbal remedies rarely work, but if you want to choose them then it’s your choice
d) It’s fine if you want to use this home remedy as long as you use it with your prescribed medicines
a) What’s in the plaster and tea? When do you usually use them?
Which of the following is true about current legislation regarding natural health products?
a) Herbals were regulated in the early 1900’s in reference to their efficacy and toxicity
b) The Natural Health Products Directorate (NHPD) regulates the safety, efficacy, and quality of natural health products
c) The Marijuanas Medical Access regulations allow access and possession of Marijuanas for individuals
d) The NHPD was specifically designed to encourage the freedom of choice and philosophical and ethnocultural diversity of natural health products
b) The Natural Health Products Directorate (NHPD) regulates the safety, efficacy, and quality of natural health products
True of False? Explain. - OTC drugs and natural health products may be safely taken in the recommended amounts without concern for adverse effects
- False. There are many adverse effects and significant drug interactions for over-the-counter (OTC) drugs and natural health products. A drug’s availability OTC does not guarantee that it is risk free. In Canada, natural health products, like prescription drugs, are monitored and regulated by the Natural Health Products Directorate of Health Canada.
Explain how the current laws regulating OTC medications have evolved
- Current control of OTC drugs has evolved from the Food and Drugs Act. The Therapeutic Products Directorate of Health Canada manages drugs and issues a drug identification number (DIN) permitting the manufacturer to market a drug in Canada. A DIN informs the user that the product has undergone and passed a review of its formulation, labelling, and instructions for use. It is a tool that assists in monitoring products on the market, issuing recalls of products, inspecting, and quality monitoring.Health Canada also posts safety alerts and public health advisories about OTC drugs and products.
Discuss important points to include when teaching patients about analgesia and the use of OTC products for pain control at home
- Patient teaching points include the following:
- Check for allergies.
- Check for drug interactions with all prescription drugs, other OTC drugs being taken, and natural health products.
- Take the product exactly as indicated, and take no more than prescribed because of the risk of toxicity (e.g., liver toxicity) associated with overdose of acetaminophen.
- Aspirin, ibuprofen, and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have potentially harmful adverse effects, such as gastrointestinal bleeding, ulcers, bleeding tendencies, and liver and kidney toxicity. They should be taken only as indicated.
- If any adverse effects occur, discontinue the medication and contact your health care professional.
Your neighbour, who tells you that he has been taking warfarin (blood thinner) for several months, calls you to ask your opinion about ginkgo to prevent memory loss. He says his sister uses it and it works wonders. He also thinks it is safe because he can buy it at the local grocery store. What should you tell him?
- The nurse needs to discuss the fact that natural health products are not necessarily “safe” just because they are readily available. The patient can be told that in Canada, natural health products are regulated as closely as prescription and OTC medications. If the patient has the ginkgo product with him, the nurse should help him to read the label with the disclaimers and other information on it. He should also be told that ginkgo may interfere with the action of the warfarin, causing increased bleeding. Other drug interactions may also occur with ginkgo. It is important that he understand that natural health products can be potentially harmful if taken without regard to his current drug therapy.
