Final answer:
Prescription labels contain critical information for safe medication use, including pharmacy and prescriber details, patient name, medication name and dosage, directions for use, refill information, and warnings. These labels ensure that patients have access to the necessary details to take their medication correctly.
Step-by-step explanation:
Prescription labels are crucial for ensuring the correct and safe use of medications. They contain specific information that is required by law and is essential for patients to understand how to properly take their medication. In the United States, typically, prescription labels will include the following twelve pieces of information:
- Pharmacy name and address
- Prescriber's name (the healthcare provider who wrote the prescription)
- Patient's name
- Prescription number (sometimes called an Rx number)
- Date of prescription
- Expiration date of the medication
- Name of the medication
- Dosage of the medication
- Directions for use
- Number of refills authorized (if applicable)
- Warning labels or precautions
- Pharmacy's phone number for questions or concerns
It's important to read and follow the information provided on prescription labels to achieve the best treatment outcomes and avoid potential medication errors.