Teach Your Child To Read Medicine Labels To Keep Them Safe
From time to time, you may need to take some medicine—it happens to us all. One important thing about medicine is that, very often, all the bottles of pills can look the same. Knowing how to read a medicine bottle label is a critical skill to avoid taking the wrong pills or the wrong dosage.
While the layout of labels may vary, the information they contain is standardized by law to ensure your safety.
Important Things to Look for on a Medicine Bottle Label
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Who the prescription is for: It is extremely important to only take medicine prescribed for you.
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The name of the medicine and dosage: This tells you exactly what you’re taking and how much you should take.
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Instructions on when and how to take the medicine: For example, twice a day, with food, or other specific directions.
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The quantity of medication: This indicates the total number of pills or amount of medicine in the bottle.
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A discard-after date: Medicines lose their potency over time. Be sure to dispose of them responsibly once they expire.
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Warnings and precautions: Labels often include cautions, such as "may cause drowsiness" or "may affect breathing." Understanding these risks helps you monitor for potential side effects.
Medicine bottles provide a wealth of important information—more than you might expect. By learning how to read them, you'll know exactly what’s in the bottle and how to use it safely.
