READING A LABEL
This date on a medication label tells you when the medicine is no longer safe to use.
What is the expiration date?
This is what we call a pharmacy you visit in a store or clinic to pick up medicine and go home.
What is an outpatient pharmacy?
In a hospital, nurses receive patient medications through this automated machine found on each floor.
What is an automated dispensing cabinet (ADC) — such as a Pyxis machine?
This phrase — right drug, right dose, right patient, right route, right time — is the golden rule of giving medicine safely.
What are the Five Rights of medication administration?
The brand name and this other name are two names a medicine can go by — the second is usually much cheaper.
What is the generic name (or generic drug)?
Every prescription label must include this so you know how often and how much medicine to take
What is the dosage instructions (e.g., 'Take 1 tablet twice daily')
In an outpatient pharmacy, this document written by a doctor is required before a pharmacist can give you most medicines.
What is a prescription?
An inpatient pharmacy is located inside this type of facility, serving patients who are staying overnight.
What is a hospital?
Giving a patient a medicine they are allergic to is an example of this type of event.
What is Adverse drug event / medication error?
This is the healthcare professional who dispenses medications, checks for interactions, and counsels patients on how to take their medicine.
What is A pharmacist?
If a label says 'Take with food,' this is the reason why.
What is to protect your stomach or help your body absorb the medicine better?
A pharmacist in an outpatient setting will check for this before filling your prescription — making sure your new medicine won't react badly with ones you already take
What is Drug interactions?
When a doctor orders a medication for a hospital patient, this person reviews it for safety before it is dispensed.
What is a pharmacist?
A pharmacist/ pharmacy technician always asks for this at the counter to confirm they are giving the prescription to the correct person.
What is Patient's name and date of birth?
This is the number of times a prescription can be refilled, listed right on your prescription label.
What is refills remaining?
These colored stickers on a prescription bottle warn you about things like drowsiness, avoid alcohol, or take with water.
What is Auxiliary warning labels?
This service, offered at many outpatient pharmacies, lets you talk one-on-one with a pharmacist about your medications.
What is Medication counseling?
This type of medication, given through a needle directly into a vein in a hospital, is prepared by inpatient pharmacy staff.
What is Intravenous (IV) medication?
This bright orange sticker on a prescription bottle means the medication may make you sleepy and you should not drive.
What is 'May cause drowsiness' warning label?
Medications that require extra caution due to high risk of harm if misused — like strong painkillers — are placed in this legal category.
What is Controlled substances?