Pharmacy Technician Certification Board Practice Exam

What type of interaction occurs when a drug affects the efficacy of other drugs due to food intake?

1. Drug-drug interaction

2. Drug-food interaction

3. Drug-disease interaction

4. Drug-laboratory interaction

The correct answer is: Drug-food interaction

The correct answer is that a drug-food interaction occurs when the presence or absence of food affects the efficacy of medications. This type of interaction can significantly alter how a drug is absorbed, metabolized, or eliminated from the body, which can either enhance or diminish the intended effects of the drug. For example, certain medications require food to be taken with them to enhance absorption, while others may be less effective or cause adverse effects when taken with specific foods. In contrast, drug-drug interactions specifically refer to situations where one drug alters the effect of another drug, often through competition for metabolic pathways. Drug-disease interactions involve how a medication can affect pre-existing conditions, potentially worsening the disease or complicating its management. Drug-laboratory interactions can occur when a medication influences the results of laboratory tests, leading to misinterpretation of a patient's health status. Understanding these distinctions is essential for safe medication management and optimizing therapeutic outcomes.