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Read the label. It's importantRead the label. It's important
Read the label on your prescription medicines. Taking the right dose, in the right way, is important for your health.
Every medicine has a label from the company that made the medicine. If it is a prescription medicine, it will also have a label from the pharmacist. The following information refers only to the pharmacist’s label.
Two names
Most labels carry two names. One name is the active ingredient of the medicine — the substance that makes the medicine work. The other name is the brand name.
Most medicines have the brand name on top and the name of the active ingredient on the bottom. Sometimes it’s the other way around and sometimes prescription medicines have only the name of the active ingredient on the label.
On this label, the brand name is Simvar and the name of the active ingredient is simvastatin.
Strength
All labels tell you the strength of the medicine. Most tablets and capsules tell you the weight of the active ingredient. The label on this fact sheet says there are 10 mg (or milligrams) of simvastatin in each tablet.
Most syrups, creams, lotions and injections tell you the concentration of the active ingredient. That is, they tell you how much of the active ingredient is in a certain amount of the liquid.
Nearly all medicines come in different strengths. For example, simvastatin tablets come in strengths of 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg and 80 mg. Knowing the strength of your medicine, as well as its name, is important to avoid taking too much or too little. If you are unsure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist, or ring the Medicines Line on 1300 888 763.
Instructions and warnings
The instructions on the label tell you how much medicine to take, how often and for how many days. For example, it may say 'take one tablet twice a day until all the tablets are finished’. It may say to take the medicine with food or after food.
Please follow the instructions – it can make a difference to how well the medicine works. It can also help you avoid problems from taking too much medicine.
The label or the packaging may also carry a warning, such as 'do not drive or operate machinery while taking this medicine’. These warnings are important.
Also, follow any special storage instructions and check the expiry date of the medicine. Medicines should be taken to your local pharmacist for disposal once they have expired.
For more information
Contact the Medicines Line on 1300 888 763, or the National Prescribing Service at www.nps.org.au, or the Consumers’ Health Forum of Australia at www.chf.org.au.NPS and CHF are partners in the Community Quality Use of Medicines program.
Date published: 2007-07-18 00:00:00
Reasonable care is taken to provide accurate information at the date of creation. This information is not intended as a substitute for medical advice from a qualified health professional. Health professionals should rely on their own expertise and enquiries when providing medical advice or treatment. Where permitted by law, NPS disclaims all liability (including for negligence) for any loss, damage or injury resulting from reliance on or use of this information. Read our full disclaimer.
References to brands should not be taken as an endorsement by NPS.
