How to read a prescription label

What does each field on a prescription label mean?

A prescription label identifies the patient, the medication and strength, the directions, the prescriber, the quantity dispensed, refills remaining, and the fill and expiration dates.

Auxiliary stickers add handling notes such as refrigeration or taking with food. If a label contradicts what you were told verbally, call the pharmacy before taking it.

Key points

Strength and dose are different things — the label shows both.
"Refills: 0" means you must contact the prescriber before the next fill.
Keep the original labeled container; it is the record.

Questions to ask

What is this for, in plain language?
What should I do if I miss a dose?
Does it interact with anything I take?

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Phoenix Guide searches trusted educational sources first and clearly labels any AI-generated explanation. It never diagnoses or recommends treatment.

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Sources & transparency

Safe Medication Use(opens in a new tab)
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Retrieved by Phoenix Jul 10, 2026

Last reviewed:: Jul 15, 2026
Next review due:: Jan 15, 2027
Editorial owner:: Phoenix Health Compass Editorial Team
Medical reviewer:: Not yet clinically reviewed