What type of interactions should be considered when reviewing a patient's medication history?

When reviewing a patient's medication history, considering interactions with non-prescription supplements is crucial because these substances can affect the efficacy and safety of prescribed medications. Non-prescription supplements include vitamins, herbal products, and over-the-counter medications, which can interact with prescription drugs. These interactions may lead to adverse effects, diminished therapeutic effects, or increased toxicity.

For instance, certain herbal supplements like St. John's Wort can decrease the effectiveness of medications by enhancing metabolic processes in the liver, while others like ginkgo biloba can lead to increased bleeding risk when combined with anticoagulant therapy. Therefore, understanding the full scope of a patient's medication history, including non-prescription supplements, is essential for providing safe and effective care.

The focus on financial constraints, social life, and family member interactions, while relevant to the overall context of patient care, do not directly pertain to the pharmacological interactions that can occur with medications. These factors may influence a patient's adherence to treatment or overall health outcomes, but they do not encompass the critical pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics considerations that arise with medication interactions.