Are they taking any other medication?

This question can be difficult as many customers taking long-term medication often don’t feel it’s relevant to their current condition, or misunderstand the question as meaning medication they are using for the condition they have visited the pharmacy about. When you ask this question ensure that the customer understands that you are referring to prescription medication as well as any over the counter treatments, including herbal, vitamin or complementary medicines they are taking for this condition or any other medical condition.

Other medications are an important consideration when counselling customers because:

• Many medications interact with each other leading to increased or reduced medicinal effects.
• Medicines can cause side effects and it is possible that the customer is suffering from a side effect of medication they are already taking.
• Some medicines can aggravate existing medical conditions.

For example, customers who are taking medication for a stomach disorder such as indigestion or heartburn should not be recommended an OTC oral NSAID, such as ibuprofen, to treat back pain as NSAIDs can irritate the stomach and oesophagus, exacerbating their existing stomach problem. Similarly, customers complaining of new onset indigestion who have been taking ibuprofen may not have classic indigestion, but are simply experiencing a recognised side effect of their medication. Decongestants can lead to increased blood pressure which is a problem in customers' already taking antihypertensive medication.

The customer’s answer to this question will often dictate whether you can recommend a treatment or if the customer requires referral to the pharmacist. Therefore it is very important to listen to the customer and ensure you have a full medical history.