After receiving a prescription to treat a medical condition, it’s easy to forget about the instructions on the label, but this can be a costly mistake. Failing to take prescriptions as instructed, known as medical non-adherence, can result in not just incomplete or failed treatment, but hospitalization as well, with over 100,000 deaths stemming from this issue every year.
Whether you are receiving a prescription to treat a chronic condition like high blood pressure or an acute issue like an infection, it’s important to follow the directions on the label to the letter. Reading prescription labels thoroughly and creating a simple system are proven steps to help ensure your medication treatment succeeds.
If you have questions about your current prescriptions, contact the team at your local Community Pharmacy for guidance.
Understanding Key Prescription Label Language and Figures
On every prescription label are a few key figures that serve as a reminder of your medical professional’s instructions. Here’s what you’ll commonly find and what each section means:
- Prescriber Name
- Patient Name
- Pharmacy Information
- Pharmacy name, phone number, and address.
- Prescription number
- The unique number tied to your specific prescription.
- Fill Date
- The date the prescription was prepared by the pharmacy.
- Medication Information
- Name of the drug and its strength.
- Dosage
- The amount to be taken and the total amount to dispense.
- Directions
- Instructions on the quantity, method, and timing of administration.
- Ex. Take 1 tablet by mouth in the morning and at night on an empty stomach.
- Refills
- The number of refills remaining.
If your prescription label is unclear, or if you have questions about how to follow its instructions, don’t rely on potentially dangerous assumptions. At Community Pharmacy, we have a QR code on all our prescription labels that link to helpful information about the drug.
Why Medical Prescription Adherence Matters
Taking medication as prescribed has a significant impact on your health, but it’s easy to overlook when life gets busy. Here’s why medication adherence matters more than you might think:
- Affects Prescription Efficacy
- Skipping doses or stopping a prescription early leaves the underlying condition undertreated, allowing it to worsen over time.
- Overdose or Toxicity
- Taking more than the directed amount, or taking doses too frequently, can lead to severe adverse reactions that may require emergency care.
- Drug Interactions
- Many prescriptions come with clear instructions to avoid certain drugs, foods, supplements, or alcohol while taking the prescription. Ignoring these warnings can lead to unpredictable, sometimes dangerous reactions.
- Side Effects and Hospitalization
- Non-adherence is a leading driver of preventable hospitalizations. Unmanaged conditions escalate, and the resulting complications are often far more serious and costly than simply staying on track with a prescription.
- Incomplete Treatment
- Particularly with antibiotics, stopping a course early can allow the underlying infection to return stronger and harder to treat, and contribute to antibiotic resistance over time.
The good news is that all of these risks are largely avoidable, and staying safe with your prescriptions doesn’t have to be complicated.
Staying Consistent with Prescriptions
Spring is an ideal time to take a fresh look at your medicine cabinet, declutter expired or unused medications, and organize what remains so you’re well-positioned for safe, consistent use.
Building a simple system, such as a daily pill organizer, digital applications, or physical reminders posted around your home, can make a real difference in maintaining prescription adherence. At Community Pharmacy, we also offer prescription packaging options that can help make adherence clearer and easier for you as well.
These small additions make it easier to help ensure your body gets the consistent support it needs from medications to function as intended.
If you have questions about your prescriptions, contact the team at your local Community Pharmacy for guidance.