Most people misread their medication labels — Are you one of them?

When was the last time you just picked up medicine, stared at the label, & assumed you knew exactly how to take it? If your answer is YES, of course; then let me reveal a surprise for you, that is, the research shows that a lot of people are unable to understand medicinal labels properly & which results in serious health issues and might affect your treatment too.

😊So, I’m here to decode it for u.

Why Medicine Label Matter?

Let me explain the answer to this question: Medicinal labels are not just a mere decoration or sticker on boxes or bottles; they carry a huge amount of essential and useful information with them.

👨‍🏫 Sections Highlighting Key Points on Labels:

They contain the following sections that are discussed below;

Dosage Instruction:

            Some instructions are written on the label regarding the way to use that specific medicine, and how to use it either with food or on an empty stomach.

Dosage Strength and Detail:   

          This section explains the different dosages for children, adults, and the elderly. It also tells the exact amount to be taken by the patient, either a tablet or a spoonful of syrup, depending on the type of medicine dosage form.

Warning & Precautions:

         Warning sections help to provide information regarding side effects of medicine, specific health conditions during which the medicine should be avoided, and any risk of allergies. Reading them properly helps you to stay safe from serious issues with the specific medicine.

MFG & EXP:

           Manufacturing and Expiry dates should be strictly monitored to avoid complications. Do not use medicine, especially injections, 1 month before the expiry date due to a serious allergic reaction caused by them.

Storage Guidelines:

         It helps to tell the proper storage conditions, like storing them in cool and dry places. Moreover, keep them out of reach of children. This section warns to store medicine away from direct sunlight and humidity so that it may work properly until the expiry date.

Common Mistakes that people make:

Some common mistakes made by patients are as follows:

🥄 Confusion between Teaspoon and Tablespoon.

⚠ Ignoring warning sections and also using the expired medicine.

💊 2 or more medicines with the same Generic name but different brand names.

How To Avoid These Confusions?

One can avoid these confusions and can benefit from medicine instead of facing the worst side effects by:

📖Reading the full medicinal label thoroughly.

🔎Using a magnifying glass to zoom the text that is too small to be seen by the naked eye.

👨‍⚕️If still not getting what to do and how to do it, then ask your pharmacist for proper guidelines.

Conclusion:

Reading a medicinal label might feel like a boring task, but trust me, it will be very helpful for your safety and efficacy. So, do not take risks and just go through the label; it will take just 4–5 minutes of your time to save your precious life.