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1.14

Reading a prescription label

Before you take any new medicine, find what it is, how much, how often and what to avoid, and ask the pharmacist about anything unclear.

An older woman in glasses reads the label on a medicine bottle at a pharmacy counter.
Photo: cottonbro studio / Pexels
Area: BodyFrom age 16Time to learn: 20 minutes to learn. Practise with every new prescription.

You will be able to read a prescription label, decode its common abbreviations and avoid the most common dosing mistakes.

SafetyIf someone takes too much or the wrong medicine, in the US call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222. In Canada, call 1-844-POISON-X (1-844-764-7669) to reach your local poison centre, or in Quebec call the Centre antipoison du Québec at 1-800-463-5060. Call 911 right away if the person collapses, has a seizure, has trouble breathing or cannot be woken.

Why it matters

Medicine helps only when it is taken as directed. CDC reports more than 1.5 million emergency department visits each year in the US for harm caused by medicines. Reading a label takes a few minutes to learn, and a pharmacist can explain any part of it.

How to do it

  1. Check it is yours. The label should show your name and your doctor's directions. If it does not, do not take it. Talk to the pharmacist.
  2. Find the drug name and strength (for example, 500 mg), and ask what it is for.
  3. Read the dose: how much to take each time, for example “1 tablet”.
  4. Read how often: for example “twice a day”. Ask the pharmacist to turn it into clock times that fit your day.
  5. Pharmacy labels should use plain words. If you see short forms on a prescription or printout, ask the pharmacist to write them out. Common ones: bid = twice a day, tid = three times a day, qid = four times a day, prn = as needed, ac = before meals, pc = after meals, po = by mouth.
  6. Read every warning sticker, such as “take with food”, “may cause drowsiness” or “avoid alcohol”. “Empty stomach” usually means about 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating, but follow your pharmacist's exact instructions.
  7. Check how long to take it. Do not stop early because you feel better, or keep going longer than directed, unless your prescriber says so. For antibiotics, take every dose for as long as prescribed.
  8. Check the active ingredients against everything else you take, including over-the-counter products. For example, do not take two products that both contain acetaminophen.
  9. Check the number of refills, the expiry or discard date and how to store it (for example, in the fridge).
  10. Before you leave, ask: What is it for? When and how do I take it? What should I avoid? What side effects should I watch for? What do I do if I miss a dose? Is it safe to stop suddenly?

Common mistakes

  • Taking a double dose to make up for a missed one without asking.
  • Taking two products with the same active ingredient, such as acetaminophen.
  • Stopping a medicine early because you feel better.
  • Taking someone else's prescription or sharing yours.
You can do this when …you can pick up any prescription bottle and say aloud the drug, the dose, how often, for how long and one thing to avoid, then confirm it with the pharmacist.

Sources

  1. National Institute on Aging – Taking Medicines Safely as You Age
  2. MedlinePlus – Taking multiple medicines safely
  3. CDC – Medication Safety Data
  4. Poison Control (National Capital Poison Center)
  5. Health Canada – 1-844 POISON-X toll-free number for poison centres

Sources and numbers last checked . How we check

All lessons

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