Carefully reading and understanding the medication instructions before use is essential for safe medication use. But what exactly should you look for?
1. Drug Names: Drugs have generic names, brand names, English names, chemical names, and so on. Each drug has only one generic name. Generic names and chemical names are universally recognized and are generally expressed in English and their translations. Brand names are the names given to products by their respective manufacturers. Drugs with the same generic name (identical ingredients) may have multiple brand names. Different brand names indicate products from different manufacturers and may also imply differences in quality. When taking medication, be sure to identify the generic name or chemical name to avoid taking the same medication twice, which could lead to overdose or poisoning.
2. Active Ingredients: Some medications contain a single active ingredient, while others contain multiple active ingredients. The ingredients listed in the package insert are typically the active ingredients.
3. Indications: Also known as "actions and uses," these are commonly referred to as "functions and main indications" in traditional Chinese patent medicines. This refers to the list of conditions for which the product has been shown to be effective, based on its pharmacological effects and clinical applications. This is particularly important for over-the-counter (OTC) medications; if patients purchase these medications on their own at a pharmacy, they must ensure that their symptoms fall within the listed indications when selecting a product.
4. Dosage and Administration: This refers to the dosage and method of administration required for each condition. Dosages are typically specified for adults; for individuals over 60 years of age, the dosage is usually three-quarters of the adult dose; for children, the dosage is calculated based on age, weight, or body surface area. Weight is expressed in grams (g) or milligrams (mg), while volume is expressed in milliliters (ml). Conversions are made using the ratios 1 gram = 1,000 milligrams and 1 liter = 1,000 milliliters. For example, 0.5 grams per tablet is equivalent to 500 milligrams per tablet. Please note that the dosages mentioned here are recommendations. Due to individual differences, the recommended dosage may not be suitable for some patients. In such cases, you must visit a hospital and ask a doctor to adjust your dosage. Administration: “Before meals” means taking the medication 30 minutes before eating; “after meals” means taking it 15–30 minutes after eating; and “with meals” means taking it at the same time as eating. Taking medication according to these guidelines promotes absorption and helps avoid adverse reactions; patients should strictly adhere to them.
5. Adverse Reactions: Many medications can cause various side effects during use. These are not only due to the characteristics of the medication itself but also depend on the patient’s physical constitution and health status. Reputable pharmaceutical companies will list all possible adverse reactions (even rare ones) in the package insert. Do not assume that a medication is ineffective or unsafe simply because the package insert lists a long list of adverse reactions, as there are virtually no drugs without any adverse reactions. Patients should carefully read the section on adverse reactions, monitor their own response to the medication, and take immediate action if any adverse reactions occur. For mild reactions that do not require discontinuation of treatment, continue treatment while observing the situation and consulting your doctor or pharmacist; for more severe reactions, stop taking the medication immediately and seek medical attention at a hospital.
6. Precautions: These are guidelines regarding medication use and related requirements during treatment. For example, when taking Fast-Acting Cold Capsules, avoid working at heights or driving. This section also covers situations that may exacerbate existing medical conditions, as well as foods and medications that should be avoided.
Contraindications: Refers to patients for whom the use of this medication is strictly prohibited, as it may cause severe adverse reactions or toxicity in certain patients, leading to serious consequences. This medication is strictly contraindicated in patients with a history of penicillin allergy or a positive skin test.
Contraindications: This refers to situations where certain medications may cause serious adverse reactions in patients with significant individual variations; therefore, due to a lack of sufficient certainty, their use should be avoided or is best avoided.
Use with caution: This means that the medication should be used with care; after administration, the patient should be monitored for any adverse reactions, and the medication should be discontinued immediately if any problems arise. This warning applies to specific populations, such as children, the elderly, pregnant women, or individuals with impaired liver or kidney function. If the use of such medication is necessary, it should be administered under a doctor’s supervision.
For medications that require regular specialized testing after a period of use, you must follow these instructions so that your doctor can adjust the dosage or determine whether to continue treatment. When multiple medications need to be taken together, consult your doctor or pharmacist to confirm whether they are compatible, in order to avoid adverse reactions or reduced efficacy caused by drug interactions or contraindications.
7. Dosage Form: For single-ingredient chemical drugs, the dosage form typically refers to the concentration; for compound formulations, it generally refers to the tablet weight. A single drug may be available in several dosage forms, so be sure to check carefully before taking it.
8. Storage: To ensure the quality of medications, certain storage requirements must be followed. Most medications should be protected from light, kept tightly sealed, and stored in a cool, dry place; many biological products require refrigeration or storage at low temperatures. "Cool place" refers to temperatures below 20°C; "cool, dark place" refers to a location protected from light and below 20°C; "refrigerated" refers to temperatures between 2°C and 10°C; "room temperature" refers to temperatures between 10°C and 30°C.
9. Expiration Date: Expressed as either the "expiration date" or the "shelf life." The expiration date refers to the period during which the quality of the drug remains compliant with specifications under specified storage conditions. For example, if a drug’s expiration date is November 2012, this means the drug remains valid until November 30, 2012, and expires on December 1, 2012. The shelf life refers to the period from the date of manufacture until the expiration date. For example, if a drug’s expiration date is December 2012, this means the drug can be used until November 30, 2012, and will expire on December 1, 2012. Expired drugs must not be used.
10. Batch Number: The date of manufacture for this medication. For medications imported from Europe, the date is listed in the order of day, month, and year; for those imported from the United States, the date is typically listed in the order of month, day, and year; for those imported from Japan, the date is usually listed in the order of year, month, and day; and for medications from Russia and other CIS countries, Roman numerals are commonly used to denote the month.
11. Compliance Standards: Quality standards are technical regulations established by the state regarding the quality of drugs and their testing methods. They serve as the legal basis for drug manufacturers, distributors, users, testing laboratories, and regulatory authorities. These are the standards that drug manufacturers must comply with and meet.
12. Approval Number: A certificate issued by the National Medical Products Administration to each pharmaceutical manufacturer authorizing the production of a specific drug; it serves as the drug’s identification number. In the approval number: H stands for chemical drugs, Z for traditional Chinese medicines, S for biological products, and J for repackaged imported drugs (currently, B is also used). The format for domestic drug approval numbers is: National Drug Approval No. H(Z, S, J) + 4-digit year code + 4-digit serial number. The format for the "Imported Drug Registration Certificate" is: H(Z, S) + 4-digit year code + 4-digit serial number; The format for the "Medical Product Registration Certificate" for Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan is: H (Z, S) C + 4-digit year code + 4-digit serial number; the format for the New Drug Certificate is: National Drug Certificate No. H (Z, S) + 4-digit year code + 4-digit serial number.
Definitions:
Single dose: Taken all at once.
Antimicrobial resistance: This refers to the phenomenon in which pathogens, such as bacteria, develop resistance to drugs. It results from the prolonged or inappropriate use of antimicrobial agents, leading to a state in which the pathogens produce enzymes that inactivate the drugs, alter the target structure, or modify their original metabolic processes, thereby reducing their susceptibility to the drugs.
Dependence: A psychological state resulting from the interaction between a patient’s body and a medication. It can be further classified into physical dependence and psychological dependence, and involves compulsive medication use to achieve psychological satisfaction. It is essential to thoroughly understand the medication label, correctly follow the instructions for use, maximize the drug’s therapeutic efficacy, and minimize adverse reactions.
