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Clinical Pharmacy & OTC Flashcards

6 cards from real PSI practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

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  1. Which OTC medication is first-line for mild-to-moderate pain in a patient with no contraindications?

    Answer: Paracetamol 500–1000 mg every 4–6 hours (max 4 g/day)

    Paracetamol is first-line OTC analgesia — effective, widely tolerated and safe across most patient groups including children, pregnant women and the elderly when used as directed.

  2. Ibuprofen is contraindicated OTC in patients with:

    Answer: Active peptic ulcer, third trimester of pregnancy, or severe renal impairment

    NSAIDs including ibuprofen are contraindicated in active GI ulceration (risk of bleeding), third trimester pregnancy (premature ductus arteriosus closure), and severe renal impairment (risk of acute kidney injury).

  3. Which antihistamine is classified as non-sedating and is suitable for OTC hay fever treatment?

    Answer: Cetirizine

    Cetirizine (and loratadine) are second-generation antihistamines with minimal CNS penetration, providing hay fever relief without significant sedation. First-generation antihistamines like chlorphenamine cause sedation.

  4. MUPS (Medicines Use Points System) in Ireland — in which OTC recommendation should pharmacists ALWAYS refer to a GP without treating?

    Answer: Red flag symptoms such as unexplained weight loss, dysphagia or blood in stool with indigestion

    Red flags such as unexplained weight loss, dysphagia, rectal bleeding or persistent indigestion in patients over 55 may indicate oesophageal or gastric cancer — these require urgent GP/hospital referral.

  5. Which OTC treatment is appropriate for athlete's foot (tinea pedis) caused by dermatophytes?

    Answer: Topical clotrimazole 1% cream for 2–4 weeks

    Topical imidazole antifungals (clotrimazole, miconazole, econazole) are first-line OTC treatment for tinea pedis. Treatment should continue for 2 weeks beyond symptom resolution to prevent recurrence.

  6. Which symptom combination in a child under 2 with a cough and cold requires immediate referral?

    Answer: Respiratory rate >50 breaths/min, subcostal recession, or cyanosis

    Signs of respiratory distress in young children — fast respiratory rate, subcostal recession (sucking in below ribs), cyanosis or poor feeding — indicate serious illness requiring immediate emergency assessment.