1. Understanding Drug Labels
Chapter 8
Understanding Drug Labels

2. Drug Names Brand, trade, and proprietary Generic
Manufacturer’s name for drug
Generic
Established, nonproprietary name

3. Brand and Generic Names
Brand name usually most prominent
Generic name must be on all drug labels
Nurses must cross-check medications to prevent errors

4. Brand and Generic Names
Used with permission from Aventis Pharmaceuticals

5. Locate Brand Name
Reprinted with permission from Roche Laboratories Inc. All rights reserved.

6. Locate Generic Name
Used with permission from Abbott Laboratories

7. Locate Brand and Generic Name
Used with permission from Pfizer Inc.

8. Dosage Strength
Dosage weight or amount of drug provided in specific unit of measurement

9. Locate Dosage Strength
Copyright Baxter International Inc.

10. Form Structure and composition of drug Solid forms for oral use
Injectable
Suppositories
Creams
Patches

11. Locate Form
Used with permission from Pfizer Inc.

12. Supply Dosage Both dosage and form Dosage per tablet
Dosage per milliliter

13. Locate Supply Dosage
Copyright Baxter International Inc.

14. Total Volume Full quantity contained in bottle or vial
Total number of tablets or other solids
Total fluid volume for liquids

15. Locate Volume
Copyright Baxter International Inc.

16. Administration Route Site of body or method of drug delivery Oral
Unless specified, tablets, capsules, and caplets intended for oral use
Enteral
Sublingual
Injection

17. Administration Route Site of body or method of drug delivery Otic
Optic
Topical
Rectal

18. Locate Administration Route
Copyright Baxter International Inc.

19. Label Alerts Warnings or special alerts
E.g., refrigerate at all times, keep in a dry place
Manufacturer
Pharmacy

20. Expiration Date Check prior to administration
If expired, discard or return to pharmacy

21. Locate Expiration Date
Used with permission from Abbott Laboratories 21

22. Lot or Control Numbers Important if drug recalled
Quickly identifies particular group of medication packages

23. Controlled Substance Schedule
Classifies drugs according to potential for use and abuse
Schedule I
Highest potential for abuse
Schedule V
Lowest potential for abuse

24. Locate Controlled Substance
Reprinted with permission from Roche Laboratories Inc. All rights reserved. 24

25. Unit or Single-Dose Labels
Dose strength understood as “per one”

26. Combination Drugs Different substances combined
Usually prescribed by number of tablets, capsules, or milliliters
Not dosage strength

27. Other Parts of Label
Manufacturer
National drug code
Bar code

28. Locate Bar Code
Used with permission from Abbott Laboratories 28

29. Checking Labels Six Rights of medication administration: Right patient
Right drug
Right amount
Right route
Right time
Right documentation

30. Checking Labels Check drug label: Against medication order on MAR
Before preparing medication
After preparing medication but before administering it