How to read a medicine label

Make the pack and leaflet your starting point.

Find the identifying details

Locate the active ingredient, strength and dosage form. A brand name is only one part of the description. Write down the exact wording if you need to ask a pharmacist about the product.

Read the directions together

Look at the dispensing label and the enclosed leaflet. If instructions appear inconsistent or a label is hard to read, ask the dispensing pharmacy to clarify them before relying on a guess.

Check the remaining information

Locate the expiry date, storage instructions and warnings. Keep the original packaging while you use the medicine so the leaflet and identifying details stay available.

A simple pack-reading exercise

Using your own pack, make a note with four headings: product identity, directions, questions and source of answers. Leave anything you do not understand as a question for the pharmacist; do not fill gaps with instructions from another person's prescription.

Reading further

This guide draws on Guy’s and St Thomas’ guidance on managing medicines. Bring unresolved questions to a medicine review.