Prescription drug labels contain a lot of information that can be difficult for patients to decipher and understand. According to a study published in 2008 in the "Journal of General Internal Medicine," four out of five patients misunderstood directions printed on prescription drug labels. Labels can sometimes be vague, especially when instructing you on when to take the medication, and how much to take each time. Learning how to understand information printed on a prescription drug label takes several steps. If you are still in doubt, do not hesitate to discuss your concerns with your doctor or pharmacist. They can create a written schedule to ensure medications are taken correctly.
Step 1
Gather your prescription medications. Look at the labels one at a time. The first thing printed on most labels is the name, address and telephone number for the dispensing pharmacy. If you have all of your prescriptions filled at the same pharmacy, understanding the labels will be easier for you because they will all be in the same format. Pharmacies may format their labels differently, putting information in different places, which can make understanding them difficult.
Step 2
Locate your prescription number on the label. Your prescription number is useful when refilling your prescription over the phone, or online. It usually has the letters “Rx” or “No” in front of it, and it will be long number.
Step 3
Find your name and contact information on the label. Pharmacies usually print your home address, and sometimes, your phone number as well. It is important that you only take medications that are prescribed for you.
Step 4
Read the dosage instructions, which should be printed under your name. These instructions provide details regarding how much of the medication should be taken and how many times per day. Try to take your medication at the same time every day. If the label says to take the medication multiple times per day, be sure to space the doses equally. For example, twice a day would mean to take the medicine every 12 hours, whereas three times a day would require you to take the medicine every eight hours. If the medicine requires that you take it on an empty stomach, or with food, those instructions may be listed in this area as well.
Step 5
Verify the name and dosage of the medication printed on the label. The medication name may be printed as the brand name, or the generic name, depending on medication you received. Beside the medication name will be the dosage strength and the form--whether it’s a tablet, capsule or liquid.
Step 6
Identify other information listed on your label. Your medical provider who prescribed the medicine will be printed, as will the date the medication was filled and an expiration date. The number of times your medication can be refilled is usually printed toward the bottom of the label.
Tips and Warnings
- Verify any information that you aren’t completely sure about with your pharmacist. No question is too simple, and as they teach in school, there are no stupid questions.
