How to read a medicine label: a step-by-step guide

A medicine box carries a lot of information in a very small space: names, numbers, dates, warnings and storage instructions, often in small print and sometimes in both English and Urdu. Knowing how to read a medicine label helps you take the right medicine, avoid double-dosing and spot a pack that should not be used. This guide walks through a typical label, step by step.

What information is on a medicine label?

A medicine label usually shows the brand name, the active ingredient and strength, the form and pack size, the manufacturer, the batch number, the manufacturing and expiry dates, the registration number, storage instructions and key warnings. Prescription medicines may also carry a pharmacy dispensing label with your personal directions.

Here is what to look for, in the order we suggest reading it.

Part of the label	Example	Why it matters
Brand name	Feverol 500mg Tablets	Helps you recognise the product
Active ingredient	Paracetamol	Tells you what the medicine actually is
Strength	500mg per tablet	Tells you how much is in each unit
Form and pack size	Tablets, 20 per pack	Confirms you have the right type
Prescription status	Rx / prescription only	Shows whether a prescription is needed
Batch / lot number	Lot or B. No.	Allows tracing and recalls
Mfg and Exp dates	Mfg and Exp	Shows whether it is in date
Registration number	Reg. No.	Shows it is registered with DRAP
Storage	Store below 30 °C	Keeps the medicine working as intended
Warnings	Keep out of reach of children	Key safety information

How do I find the active ingredient and strength?

The active ingredient is usually printed just under or beside the brand name, often in smaller letters, with the strength next to it, for example “Omeprazole 20mg”. This is the most important line on the pack. It tells you what the medicine is and how much is in each tablet, capsule or measured amount of liquid.

Why this line matters so much:

• Brands and generics share it. Gastrocid 20mg Capsules and Omeprazole 20mg (Generic) both contain omeprazole 20mg. Our generic medicines page explains this further.
• It prevents double-dosing. If two products list the same active ingredient, do not take them together unless your doctor has told you to.
• Strength must match your prescription. Amlodipine comes in more than one strength, for example. Check the number matches what your doctor prescribed.
• Liquids show strength per volume, for example “per 5 ml”. Use the measuring device supplied, not a household spoon.

Also look for letters after the name, such as SR, XR, MR or ER. These mean a modified or extended release form, which is not interchangeable with an ordinary tablet.

How do I read expiry dates and batch numbers?

Look for “Exp” (expiry) and “Mfg” (manufacturing), usually printed together with the batch number on the end flap or back of the box, and repeated on blister strips. Do not use a medicine after its expiry date. Keep the batch number in case you need to report a problem.

Points to note:

1. Date formats vary. You may see MM/YYYY, MM-YY or a written month. If only a month and year are shown, the medicine is generally usable until the end of that month unless the label says otherwise.
2. Check every strip. If you cut blister strips, keep the part that shows the expiry date and batch number.
3. “Once opened” overrides the printed date. Eye drops, some syrups and mixed antibiotic suspensions often say “use within X days of opening”. Write the opening date on the pack.
4. Storage affects the date. The expiry date assumes the medicine has been stored as the label says. A medicine kept in a hot car may spoil before its date.

How can I check that a medicine is registered and genuine?

Look for a registration number on the pack, often shown as “Reg. No.”, along with the manufacturer’s name and address. Every medicine sold legally in Pakistan must be registered with the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP). Buying from a licensed pharmacy is the most reliable way to avoid fake products.

Warning signs to watch for:

• spelling mistakes or blurred printing on the box
• no batch number, expiry date or registration number
• a broken seal, re-taped box or loose tablets
• a price that seems far too low compared with normal
• a pack that looks different from your usual one without explanation

A change in packaging is not always a problem, since manufacturers do update designs. If in doubt, bring the pack to a pharmacist before using it.

What do the storage instructions and warnings mean?

The storage line tells you the temperature and conditions the medicine needs, such as “store below 25 °C, protect from light”. The warnings section highlights important safety points, such as drowsiness, alcohol, pregnancy or who should not take it. Read both every time you start a new medicine.

Common warnings you may see:

• “Keep out of reach of children” - store it high up or locked away.
• “May cause drowsiness” - take care with driving and machinery.
• “Do not exceed the stated dose” - the leaflet explains the maximum.
• “Consult your doctor if pregnant or breastfeeding” - ask before taking it.
• “For external use only” - for skin products such as antiseptic liquid or burn relief cream; never swallow them.
• “Shake well before use” - common with suspensions.

For Karachi’s climate, the storage line is especially important. Our guide on how to store medicines in hot weather explains what each storage instruction means at home.

What is on the pharmacy dispensing label?

When a pharmacy supplies a prescription medicine, it may add a dispensing label showing the patient’s name, the medicine and strength, directions taken from the prescription, the date and the pharmacy’s details. These directions are specific to you. Follow them alongside the leaflet, and ask if they differ from what you expected.

What to check on the dispensing label:

1. Your name - make sure the medicine is for you, or the person you are collecting for.
2. The medicine and strength - match them to the box.
3. Directions - how often and when to take it, as your prescriber wrote.
4. The pharmacy name and phone number - so you can call with questions.

Prescription-only medicines, such as Azithromycin 500mg or a Salbutamol Inhaler, are supplied only after a pharmacist has checked a valid prescription. You can upload yours on our prescriptions page.

Why should I keep the leaflet?

The patient information leaflet inside the box has the full details: what the medicine is for, how to take it, who should not take it, possible side effects, interactions and storage. The outer label is only a summary. Keep the leaflet with the medicine for as long as you are using it.

Good habits:

• Keep each medicine in its own box with its leaflet.
• Read the “side effects” and “interactions” sections before starting.
• If you lose a leaflet, ask a pharmacist for the information.
• Use the compare tool on our site to see product details side by side when choosing between products.

When to speak to a pharmacist or doctor

Speak to a pharmacist if any part of the label is unclear, the print is too small, the instructions are not in a language you are comfortable with, or a pack looks different from usual. Speak to your doctor if the label seems to conflict with what they told you, or if you think you are having a side effect.

You can ask a pharmacist, call our Clifton or Gulshan-e-Iqbal branch, or visit us. Suspected side effects can also be reported to DRAP. In an emergency, call Rescue 1122 or Edhi 115.

This article is general information, not medical advice. Always follow your medicine’s label, its leaflet and your doctor’s or pharmacist’s directions.