Understanding your medicine and taking it correctly starts with listening to your doctor, your pharmacist and reading your medicine label. Whether it’s prescription medicines, over-the-counter products, sunscreens or supplements, reading the labels ensures you’re using the medicines properly and getting all the benefits.
Reading the medicine label is an important aspect of taking care of yourself and your family. A medicine’s label and literature may tell you about its composition, class of medicine, uses, who should or shouldn’t take it and how to use it. Do check the date of manufacturing and expiry on the label. The Institute of Medicine Reported that a lack of patient understanding and subsequent unintentional misuse of medicines was the root cause of medication error, poor adherence and worse health outcomes. While some medicines need a prescription to be bought others are available Over-the-Counter and because Over-the-Counter medicines are taken without consultation from a doctor, it becomes even more necessary to read the label. Prescription drugs, on the other hand, are increasingly being taken by the elderly who may have a diminished ability to interpret the instructions on the medications. Whenever you purchase a medication make sure to read the label to ensure your safety.
In 1999, the Food and Drug Administration published the OTC Drug Facts Label regulation. According to this, the medicine label should use simple language and an easy-to-read format so that people could compare and select OTC medicines and follow dosage instructions.
Apart from the information in the blog, it is important to note for all diabetic patients on insulin to know that the insulin should be stored in a refrigerator , if not it loses the effect.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD
It required the label to use plain-speaking terms along with a specification that required a type size large enough to be easily read and specific layout details such as bullets, the spacing between lines and marked sections that would improve readability.
Apart from the medicine label, following a prescription by your doctor is equally important, i.e., taking your prescriptions in the right dosage, at the right time, in the right way and in the correct frequency. This is important for controlling ongoing chronic conditions, successfully treating temporary illnesses, and maintaining your overall health and well-being.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj – M.B.B.S, M.D.
Disclaimer: The above information has been prepared by a qualified medical professional and may not represent the practices followed universally. The suggestions listed in this article constitute relatively common advice given to patients, and since every patient is different, you are advised to consult your physician, if in doubt, before acting upon this information. Lupin Limited has only facilitated the distribution of this information to you in the interest of patient education and welfare.