Reading Medicine Labels

Wrap-up:

It always pays to read the "drug facts" of medicines you can buy without a prescription. If you're taking more than one over-the-counter (OTC) drug, make sure to compare the "active ingredients" in each so you don't get a double or triple dose of the same medicine.

In this lesson you:

• Practiced reading medicine labels for information about active ingredients
• Practiced reading medicine labels for information about proper usage
• Studied vocabulary used to describe symptoms, dosages and types of drugs

On your own:

• Visit the drugstore. Find several brands of medication containing the same active ingredient: for example a painkiller such as ibuprofen or an antihistamine such as diphenhydramine. Compare prices to find the best deal. But make sure each brand contains the same quantity of the active ingredient.
• Go through your medicine cabinet and dispose of drugs that are past their expiration date.
• Next time someone in your family is sick and taking multiple medications, keep a medical diary to stay in control. Include these categories: name of medicine, color and shape, date of prescription (leave blank for over-the-counter drugs), dose, how and when to take it.