Health, Explained · 55 sec
How to Read an Over-the-Counter Medicine Label
The front of the box is marketing; the Drug Facts label is the safety map.
The useful idea
- Ingredient and dose
Find the active ingredient, the amount in each dose, and the directions for how much and how often to take it.
- Limits and warnings
Check the maximum daily amount, when not to use the medicine, interactions, side effects, and when to seek help.
- Duplicate ingredients
Compare active ingredients across other medicines so that two products do not accidentally deliver the same drug.
Why this matters
Different brand names can contain the same active ingredient and raise the risk of an unintended excess dose.
Try this
Before taking two products, compare their active-ingredient lines or ask a pharmacist.
Test your recall
Which part tells you what substance produces the medicine’s effect?
- Active ingredient — correct
- Brand color
- Package slogan
The active-ingredient line names the substance and its amount per dose.
General education only — not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.