There is a lot of important information listed on your prescription label. Below is a picture of a sample prescription label followed by a description of what is listed. This information is very useful in helping you keep track of who prescribed your medication, what pharmacy it was filled at with contact information and who filled the prescription.

It also has information on what the medication looks like, the manufacturer, how you should take it, with warnings and cautions that you should be aware of while taking the drug prescribed.

See sample prescription label below:

Elements found on a prescription label

1. Name, address and telephone number of the pharmacy with website information if applicable.
2. Serial number assigned to the prescription, drug quantity, number of refills and when refills expire.
3. Prescriber name, date prescription is filled, date of when drug should be discarded. Name of pharmacist who signed off on the prescription, and initials of the person who dispensed the medication. Manufacturer of the medication is also included.
4. Description of what the medication looks like.
5. Name and address of the patient.
6. Name and strength of the medication dispensed.
7. Directions for use.
8. Cautionary statements.

Get a copy of the sample label with a description of the elements here.