How to Read a Prescription Label

When it comes to picking up a prescription at the pharmacy for your child or loved one, there is a lot of information presented to you on a prescription label. It is very important to understand what this information means to help ensure that medications are given with the correct amount of medication and at the correct time, to help reduce medication errors.

Taking too little or too much medication can be dangerous. Directions should be followed as prescribed unless directly instructed by a healthcare provider.

You will always find the following information on a prescription label:

Patient Name: Only the name of the patient who is receiving the medication is on the label. Medications should not be shared with others.

Medication Name: The medication name identified on the label may be a brand or generic name.

Medication Strength: This is how much medication is in each tablet, capsule or liquid. Tablets or capsules are often measured in milligrams (mg), grams (g), or micrograms (mcg). Liquid medications are measured in their concentration, often as milligrams per milliliters (mg/mL). Topical products such as creams and ointments are measured in percentages by how potent, or how strong they are. Three examples are:

• Amoxicillin 400mg/5mL suspension
• Clonidine 0.1mg tablet
• Hydrocortisone 2.5% cream

Medication Instructions: The label includes information that describes how and when to take the medication. For example, some medications should be taken in the morning on an empty stomach. Certain medications may be prescribed to only be taken as needed, such as medications for nausea or pain. A prescription label may also include a duration in the instructions; this instructs how long to give the medication.

For example, an antibiotic for an ear infection may say “Take 15 mL by mouth twice daily for 10 days”.

Another medication’s label may say “Take 1 tablet by mouth three times daily”. For this example, there is not a specific time frame designated, so this medication should be taken three times daily until otherwise mentioned by a healthcare provider.

Medication Quantity: The prescription label always lists the amount of medication provided with each medication fill. Liquid medications are commonly dispensed in milliliters (mL). Topical products such as creams and ointments are dispensed in grams (g).

Example A:

• Amoxicillin 400mg/5mL suspension
• Take 15 mL by mouth twice daily for 10 days.
• Quantity: 300mL

Example B:

• Clonidine 0.1mg tablet
• Take 1 tablet by mouth once daily in the evening.
• Quantity: 30 tablets

Example C:

• Hydrocortisone 2.5% cream
• Apply a small amount topically to the affected area twice daily as needed for up to 14 days.
• Quantity: 30 grams

Refills: If the clinician who prescribed the medication indicated that it can be refilled, the number of refills remaining on the prescription will appear on the label.

Prescription Number: Every prescription has a unique number associated with it. This number can be used to request available refills from the pharmacy.

Pharmacy Information: This provides the name, address, and phone number of the pharmacy where the medication was filled.

Provider Information: A prescription label will include the name of the healthcare provider who authorized the prescription.

Some pharmacies automatically provide a print-out about each prescribed medication to customers, which provides additional information about the medicine, including a detailed description and side effects. Pharmacists are medication experts who are trained to provide guidance on how to best take medications. For questions about your medications, please contact your pharmacist or healthcare provider.