How to Read Your Label

Knowing how to read the labels on prescription and over-the-counter medicines is an important step in making sure you use medicines appropriately. Always keep your medicine in the original packaging so that you have proper dosing information on hand.

Learn how to read your medicine labels by hovering over the different label sections below. Labels on over-the-counter medicines are called "Drug Facts" labels.

Over-the-Counter Label

 

Prescription Label

Forms of
Acetaminophen:
TabletsChewable Tablets
Gel TabsLiquid
CapletsPowder
SuppositoriesDissolving Strips
Shapes of Acetaminophen:
8-sided

Capsule
Round
Eliptical

The National Library of Medicine (NLM)

The National Library of Medicine (NLM) is the world's largest medical library. The Library offers databases and search tools to help identify and learn more about over-the-counter and prescription medicines. Visit the NLM’s DailyMed database.

Medicines Containing Acetaminophen: