How to Read Prescription Labels
Prescription bottle labels can seem very confusing, but with a few pointers, you'll be able to read prescription labels with no trouble. This article will give you all the information you need to read and understand prescription labels.
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Instructions
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PHARMACY NAME AND ADDRESS
At the top of the prescription label, you will see the name of the pharmacy filling your prescription, and its street address.
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PHARMACY PHONE NUMBER
Near the pharmacy's name and address, you will find the pharmacy's phone number.
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DOCTOR'S NAME
Your doctor's name will appear somewhere on the prescription label. In this example, the doctor's name is near the top. Other labels have the doctor's name near the bottom.
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PRESCRIPTION NUMBER
One of the most important items on a prescription label is your prescription number. You will need to reference this number anytime you need to reorder your prescription.
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DATE
This date represents the date you filled your prescription. This date has an impact on insurance coverage. Some insurance companies won't fill a prescription until close to when the first prescription is close to gone.
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YOUR NAME
Your name, and sometimes your address, appears prominently on the prescription label.
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INSTRUCTIONS
The instructions on the prescription label is one of the most important items. This tells you exactly how to take or administer the medicine. This was determined by your doctor at the time she or he wrote the prescription.
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MEDICATION NAME AND AMOUNT
The name of your medication and the amount of the capsule or tablet is listed on the prescription label. If your medication is in its generic form, the generic name rather than the brand name will appear on the label.
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NUMBER OF REFILLS LEFT BEFORE NEEDING DOCTOR'S APPROVAL
This sample prescription label indicates that you cannot refill the prescription without your doctor's approval. If there were refills, the number of refills would be listed here.
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EXPIRATION DATE
Don't use the medication past this date. Using medications past their expiration date or shelf life is dangerous. Throw away any prescriptions that have expired.
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Tips & Warnings
Be sure to click on the links around this page to learn more about prescriptions.
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This article is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions about how to read your prescription label that hasn't been answered, be sure to speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
- Photo Credit womenshealth.gov
