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FDA Urges Americans to Read Labels
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises consumers of over the counter medicines
to always read the labels before self-treating for any condition. Because over the
counter drugs are available without a prescription, patients are usually not educated
by a doctor before taking these medicines. For this reason, the FDA requires drug companies
to post simple and clear messages on each bottle or package explaining all relevant
information about appropriate dosages, any known side effects etc. Because products change
periodically, patients should read labels each and every time they purchase a product.
The following information is required for each over the counter drug label and should be
reviewed before consumption:
- Active Ingredient. Therapeutic substance in product; amount of active ingredient per unit.
- Uses. Symptoms or diseases the product will treat or prevent.
- Warnings. When not to use the product; conditions that may require advice from a doctor before taking the product; possible interactions or side effects; when to stop taking the product and when to contact a doctor; if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, seek guidance from a health care professional; keep product out of children's reach.
- Inactive Ingredients. Substances such as colors or flavors.
- Purpose. Product action or category (such as antihistamine, antacid, or cough suppressant.)
- Directions. Specific age categories, how to take, how much, how often, and how long.
- Other Information. How to store the product properly, and required information about certain ingredients (such as the amount of calcium, potassium, or sodium the product contains)
- The expiration date, when applicable (date after which you should not use the product).
- Lot or batch code(manufacturer information to help identify the product).
- Name and address of manufacturer, packer, or distributor.
- Net quantity of contents(how much of the product is in each package).
- What to do if an overdose occurs.
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