Over-The-Counter (OTC) Medicines

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Over-The-Counter Medicines

Safety Tips about Medicine Labels & Packages

The names of medicines and the way they are labeled and packaged can cause a consumer to purchase the wrong product and/or use it incorrectly. The most common factors that contribute to the confusion are described in this section, with an example to help demonstrate the problem. Learn more about marketing distractions that draw attention away from important product information, medicines that come in look-alike packages, the use of the same, familiar brand names for totally different products, product packaging that can mislead consumers, hidden labels, hidden ingredients that may cause problems, and confusion between different strengths of a medicine. Mix-ups between eye drops and eardrops are also caused in large part by how similar the bottles of these medicines look. To avoid errors caused by these issues, the most important thing you should do is to read the Drug Facts label carefully to be sure you know the active ingredients in the medicine, purpose for using the medicine, dosing information, and any precautions to take while using the medicine.