Note on non-prescription drugs

Almost every home medicine cabinet has a few over-the-counter medications to prevent common ailments.

For all medicines, especially those that do not require a prescription (called OTC - over the counter, bought at a pharmacy), the label is very important because the patient is using the medicine without a doctor's prescription. Get into the habit of reading the label carefully every time you buy medicine because two or more products contain the same group of drugs. That does not mean they treat the same disease or have the same formula. If there is anything on the label that is difficult to understand, ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.

For all OTC products you will find the following information:believefollowing in the drug label:

- Active ingredients: These are substances with therapeutic effects. This section lists the amount of active ingredients in a unit of medicine.

- Uses: The disease or symptoms that the product is intended to treat or prevent.

Make it a habit to read the medicine label carefully every time you buy medicine because two or more products contain the same group of drugs.

- Precautions: When not to use the drug, possible side effects, possible drug interactions...

- Inactive ingredients: Excipients, colorants, flavorings...

- Drug groups: Such as antihistamines, antacids...

- Dosage: Age, how many times per day, how long to use...

- Expiration date: After this date, you should not use it.

- Production batch: Manufacturer information to help identify the product.

- Net weight (weight of each product contained in a packaging container).

- What to do in case of overdose.

Manufacturers often change information about their products, so read the label carefully every time you buy a medicine.

According to Pharmacist Nguyen Ba Huy Cuong (Labor)