Oh, hey.
Ever wonder how your mom knows what medicine to give
you when you're not feeling well?
Alot of "mom" knowledge and a little-but very important
thing known as the Drug Facts Label.
The Drug Facts Label is on all O-T-C medicines.
O-T-C stands for over-the-counter and refers
to medicines you buy without a doctor's prescription.
The Drug Facts Label can help you choose the right
drug for you and your problem-and to help you use
the medicine safely.
It's on the box or other container your medicine
comes in.
Here, the active ingredients and purpose of the drug is
explained.
Things like the medicine's name,
what it does and how much is in each tablet, capsule,
or teaspoon.
The "Uses" section lists what conditions the drug
will treat.
There's a "Warnings" Section that tells you things you
should know before using the medicine,
such as when NOT to take it, When to talk to a doctor
first and How it could make you feel.
There's other warnings, too, like things you shouldn't do
while taking it, and when to stop using the medicine and
ask a doctor for help.
The "Directions" part explains how to safely use
the medicine: Including how much,
how often and how long you can use it.
There are even parts that tell how to store your
medicine when you're not using it and what's in the
medicine besides, well, medicine.
Remember-all medicines-even O-T-C ones-can cause side
effects you don't want.
So follow the 4-1-1 on the Drug Facts Label to avoid an
O-M-G when you take your M-E-D.
For more information, go to fda.gov/medsinmyhome