1. Understanding Drug Labels
CHAPTER 8
Understanding Drug Labels
© 2013 Delmar Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied, duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

2. Drug Names Brand, trade, proprietary Manufacturer’s name for a drug
Generic
Established, nonproprietary name
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3. Brand and Generic Names
Brand name is usually most prominent
Generic name must be on all drug labels
Nurses must cross check medications to prevent errors
© 2013 Delmar Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied, duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

4. Brand and Generic Names (Continued)
Used with permission from Aventis Pharmaceuticals
© 2013 Delmar Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied, duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

5. Identify the Brand Name
Used with permission from Pfizer Inc.
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6. Identify the Generic Name
Used with permission from Abbott Laboratories
© 2013 Delmar Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied, duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

7. Dosage Strength
Dosage weight or amount of drug provided in a specific unit of measurement
© 2013 Delmar Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied, duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

8. Identify Dosage Strength
Image courtesy of Baxter Healthcare Corporation. All rights reserved.
© 2013 Delmar Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied, duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

9. Form Structure and composition of drug Solid forms for oral use
Injectable
Suppositories
Creams
Patches
© 2013 Delmar Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied, duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

10. Used with permission from Pfizer Inc.
Identify Form
Used with permission from Pfizer Inc.
© 2013 Delmar Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied, duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

11. Supply Dosage Both dosage and form Dosage per tablet
Dosage per milliliter
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12. Identify Supply Dosage
Used with permission of Roxane Laboratories Inc.
© 2013 Delmar Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied, duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

13. Total Volume Full quantity contained in bottle or vial
Total number of tablets or other solids
Total fluid volume for liquids
© 2013 Delmar Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied, duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

14. Image courtesy of Baxter Healthcare Corporation. All rights reserved.
Identify Volume
Image courtesy of Baxter Healthcare Corporation. All rights reserved.
© 2013 Delmar Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied, duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

15. Administration Route Otic Oral Optic Enteral Topical Sublingual Rectal
Refers to the site of the body or method of drug delivery
Otic
Optic
Topical
Rectal
Vaginal
Others
Oral
Enteral
Sublingual
Injection
© 2013 Delmar Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied, duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

16. Administration Route (Continued)
Unless specified, tablets, capsules and caplets are intended for oral use
© 2013 Delmar Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied, duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

17. Identify Administration Route
Image courtesy of Baxter Healthcare Corporation. All rights reserved.
© 2013 Delmar Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied, duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

18. Expiration Date Check prior to administration
Discard or return to pharmacy if expired
© 2013 Delmar Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied, duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

19. Locate Expiration Date
Used with permission from Lannett Company, Inc.
© 2013 Delmar Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied, duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

20. Lot or Control Numbers Important if drug is recalled
Quickly identifies a particular group of medication packages
© 2013 Delmar Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied, duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

21. Controlled Substance Schedule
Classifies drugs according to potential for use and abuse
Schedule I – highest potential for abuse
Schedule V – lowest potential for abuse
© 2013 Delmar Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied, duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

22. Unit or Single-Dose Labels
Dose strength is understood as per one
© 2013 Delmar Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied, duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

23. Combination Drugs Different substances are combined
Usually prescribed by number of tablets, capsules, or milliliters, not dosage strength
© 2013 Delmar Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied, duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

24. Other Parts of Label Manufacturer National Drug Code Bar Code
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25. Checking Labels Six Rights of medication administration Right patient
Right drug
Right amount
Right route
Right time
Right documentation
© 2013 Delmar Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied, duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

26. Checking Labels (Continued)
Check drug label
Against medication order on MAR
Before preparing the medication
After preparing medication and before administering it
© 2013 Delmar Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied, duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

27. Label Alert
Warnings may be printed on packaging or added by pharmacy before dispensing
Look for special storage alerts such as
Refrigerate at all times
Keep in a dry place
Replace cap and close tightly before storing
Protect from light
© 2013 Delmar Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied, duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

28. Label Alert
Reconstituted suspensions may be dispensed already prepared for use
Directions may instruct the health care professional to “shake well before using” as a reminder to remix the components
Read and follow all label instructions carefully
© 2013 Delmar Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied, duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.