1. Reading Medication Labels
Chapter 10
Reading Medication Labels
Copyright © 2020 by Mosby, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

2. Trade Name of Medication
First name written on the label
Always followed by the ® registration symbol.
Usually capitalized and written in bold print
What is the trade name?
It is the name given to a particular medication by the drug manufacturer. Different manufacturers market the same medication under different trade names. Tylenol, Anacin-3, Datril, and Panadol are all trade names for acetaminophen.
Copyright © 2020 by Mosby, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

3. Generic Name of Medication
Appears directly under the trade name.
Usually found in smaller or different type letters from the trade name.
Sometimes is only name found on drug label.
What is the generic name?
It is the official, nonproprietary name of the drug. There is only one generic name for each drug. For example, acetaminophen is the generic name for the following trade names: Tylenol, Anacin-3, Datril, and Panadol.
Which name will physicians use when ordering a patient’s medication?
Physicians can order medication using either the generic name or a trade name. Nurses should be familiar with both trade names and generic names and cross-check references as needed.
Copyright © 2020 by Mosby, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

4. Strength of the Medication Dosage
Indicates amount or weight of medication supplied in specific unit of measure.
Could be listed per capsule, tablet, or milliliter.
What is the dosage strength?
The dosage strength is the amount of medication present in a specific unit of measure.
Copyright © 2020 by Mosby, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

5. Form in Which Medication Is Provided
Indicates how drug is supplied.
For examples: tablets, capsules, liquids, suppositories, and ointments
What are some examples of medications that come in the forms listed?
Sudafed can be supplied in tablet form, Advil can be supplied in capsule form, Nyquil is supplied in liquid form, Preparation H can be supplied in suppository form, and Neosporin is supplied in ointment form.
Copyright © 2020 by Mosby, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

6. Route of Medication Administration
Indicates how drug is to be administered.
For examples: oral, topical, injection, and intravenous
What are some examples of different kinds of injections?
Subcutaneous, intradermal, and intramuscular injections are examples of different kinds of injections.
Will drug labels always contain specific information regarding the route of administration?
No, they will not. Consult a physician or printed reference if you have any doubt about how a drug should be administered.
Copyright © 2020 by Mosby, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

7. Total Amount of Medication
Could be listed on drug label
Indicates the total amount of medication in container.
What are some examples of total amounts of medication that could be listed on drug labels?
The total amount of medication available in a drug container could be listed in any of several ways, such as 30 tablets, 100 mL of oral suspension, or 250 mg.
Copyright © 2020 by Mosby, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

8. Directions for Medication Preparation
Could be listed on drug label
Should be checked
What types of information will be listed on the drug label if the medication requires mixing before use?
The amounts and types of diluents required for preparing the final form of the medication are listed along with the resulting strength of the final form of the medication.
Copyright © 2020 by Mosby, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.