OTC drug label is dispatch with the every OTC drug. The purpose of OTC drug label is to educate patient about drug without help of doctor or pharmacist. Going through the details, given on label, take few minutes which ensures risk free usage of drug.
Deliberate efforts are made to provide information as simpler as possible so that even a non-healthcare professional can understand and learn about OTC drug.
Active Ingredient: Active ingredient is the first thing given on label. It is the chemical compound in the drug that works and produces intended effects.
Uses: 'Uses' lists diseases and symptoms that the drug should ONLY be used to treat. In medical language 'Uses' is referred as 'Indications'.
Directions: This is the guidance and manner the drug should be taken. It tells you number of tablets, strength (such as 20mg or 100mg) and how often should be taken to treat what kind of symptoms.
Warnings: 'Warnings' is list of DOs and DON'Ts that patient should follow while taking the drug. It includes list of other medications, food or activities that should avoid when taking the drug.
If you are taking more than one OTC drug, compare the 'Warnings' given on label of both medicines to check out whether they contraindicated (Contraindication = effects or side effects if two medications taken together) to each other.
Other Information: These are the instructions about drug. Instructions such storage and expiry date of drug.
Inactive Ingredients: Unlike active ingredient, inactive ingredient does not have any effect on body.
Inactive ingredients are used give drug particular taste, color and shape.
Compare label and with the same active ingredient unless instructed by your doctor, pharmacist or other health care professional.
Labeling is available for OTC drugs only. Consumers are needed to consult physician or pharmacist in order to take prescription drug.
Deliberate efforts are made to provide information as simpler as possible so that even a non-healthcare professional can understand and learn about OTC drug.
Active Ingredient: Active ingredient is the first thing given on label. It is the chemical compound in the drug that works and produces intended effects.
Uses: 'Uses' lists diseases and symptoms that the drug should ONLY be used to treat. In medical language 'Uses' is referred as 'Indications'.
Directions: This is the guidance and manner the drug should be taken. It tells you number of tablets, strength (such as 20mg or 100mg) and how often should be taken to treat what kind of symptoms.
Warnings: 'Warnings' is list of DOs and DON'Ts that patient should follow while taking the drug. It includes list of other medications, food or activities that should avoid when taking the drug.
If you are taking more than one OTC drug, compare the 'Warnings' given on label of both medicines to check out whether they contraindicated (Contraindication = effects or side effects if two medications taken together) to each other.
Other Information: These are the instructions about drug. Instructions such storage and expiry date of drug.
Inactive Ingredients: Unlike active ingredient, inactive ingredient does not have any effect on body.
Inactive ingredients are used give drug particular taste, color and shape.
Compare label and with the same active ingredient unless instructed by your doctor, pharmacist or other health care professional.
Labeling is available for OTC drugs only. Consumers are needed to consult physician or pharmacist in order to take prescription drug.
No comments:
Post a Comment