A.

How to Read Drug Labels

1. Name of medicine

There are 2 types of drug names, namely generic names and trade names. Generic names are the
official names of substances that have the properties of a drug, while trade names are certain
brands given to a generic name that belongs to the drug manufacturer concerned. Example: the
generic name is Paracetamol and its trade name is Panadol or Biogesic. Usually on drug packaging /
labels, generic names are written under the trade name.

2. Drug composition

Is a nutritious substance in each drug preparation. Example: 1 Panadol tablet contains 500 mg
Paracetamol or every 1 teaspoon / 15 ml Panadol syrup contains 125 mg of Paracetamol.

3. Drug Indications

Indications are the use of drugs or conditions that make use of certain drugs recommended.
Example: An indication of Paracetamol is for pain and fever. One drug can have more than one
indication, which means it can be used for several diseases or conditions. Don't use drugs for
something that is not indicated, because it might be dangerous.

4. Dosage of drugs / rules for using drugs

Drug dosage is a certain amount or dose of a drug that has a certain effect on an illness or symptom.
If the dose is too low (under dose) then the therapeutic effect is not achieved. Conversely, if
excessive (over dose) can cause toxic effects / poisoning even to death.

Example:

- 3 tablets a day, meaning the drug is taken 3 times a day, morning, afternoon, evening (better every
7-8 hours) where one drink a tablet.

- 3 tablets 2 times a day, meaning the drug is taken 3 times a day, namely morning, afternoon, night
where every drink is two tablets at a time.

- 1 tablet 3 times a day, meaning the drug is taken once a day, for example in the morning, where
every 3 tablets are taken at once.

- Taken before meals / empty stomach means the drug is taken 1 hour before or 2 hours after
eating. Usually this warning is used on antibiotics, because this drug can be absorbed properly on an
empty stomach.

- Taken after meals means the drug is taken for a moment until 30 minutes after eating.

5. Side Effects

Drug side effects are any body response to drugs that are harmful / dangerous and undesirable that
occur in the administration of drugs in normal doses for the prevention and treatment of diseases.
The most serious side effects do not stop after treatment is stopped, but that is rare.

Side effects do not always occur because everyone has a system and metabolism that is slightly
unique so that it can give a different reaction to the same drug. Effective drugs for most people may
not be beneficial for others. Likewise, a person may experience side effects that are not experienced
by most other people. When you first take a drug, monitor your body's response to the drug in the

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first two weeks. If you experience side effects that cannot be tolerated, immediately consult your
doctor to find out whether these side effects are serious and whether the drug needs to be replaced.

Examples: side effects of Allopurinol drugs are fever, liver and kidney failure, nausea, vomiting,
diarrhea, drowsiness, headache, dermatitis, urticaria etc. Of the many side effects of Allopurinol,
there are wearers who do not feel any side effects at all, there are nausea or there are nausea,
vomiting, diarrhea and dermatitis / skin allergies at once.

6. Contraindications

Contraindications are certain conditions where it is not recommended / prohibited to use certain
drugs. For example: Panadol may not be taken by those who suffer from liver dysfunction.

7. Warnings and Cautions

Drug labels may also provide additional instructions / information for certain drugs. Example :

- Medications can cause drowsiness. Do not drive a motorized vehicle or operate a machine after
taking this medicine. This means that the drug can affect the ability to drive or operate machinery
because it causes drowsiness or slows down a person's reflexes, so it is very dangerous if after taking
medicine to drive a motorized vehicle or operate a machine. Usually this warning is for cold cough
medicines that contain antihistamines, tranquilizers, strong painkillers.

- Dispose of medication one month after opening for eye drops or taking medication until it runs out
for antibiotics.

- Do not take this medicine along with milk, antacids, or drugs containing iron.

- Do not break down, pound or chew

Usually this warning is used for tablets or capsules made with special formulations,

- Long-term use of Allopurinol can cause cataracts.

8. Drug Interactions

Drug interactions provide information about what can happen if the drug is given along with other
drugs, foods, supplements and certain herbs. Drug interactions can cause the work of the drug to be
ineffective and not on target, cause more severe side effects, the effect of the drug is too strong
(overdose) or too weak. For example: foods or drinks that contain caffeine, such as coffee increase
the risk of overdosing antibiotics Ciprofloxacin and Norfloxacin. This event can cause hallucinations,
tremors and palpitations.

9. How to store drugs

Providing information on how to store the best drugs to avoid drug damage. Example :

- Stored at a cold temperature, meaning that the drug is stored at a temperature no more than 8 ° C.
The refrigerator has a temperature between 2od and 8oC while the freezer has a temperature
between -20o and -10oC.

- Stored at cool temperatures, which means storing drugs at temperatures between 8 ° C and 15 ° C.
Unless otherwise stated if they have to be stored at cool temperatures they can be stored in the
refrigerator instead of in the freezer / freezer.

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10. Other Information

On the drug label, there is also the name and address of the company that produced it, batch
number, registration number and expiration date / ED.

The batch number shows the production identity given by the pharmaceutical industry to a drug in a
production unit. The batch number can be a reference if there is a production error or something
else that makes the drug with a certain batch number must be withdrawn from circulation.

The registration number is the number given as a sign that the drug has been registered with BPOM
and obtained marketing authorization.

The expiration date shows the deadline for a drug to be used, for example, the expiration date of
July 2014 means that the drug can be used until July 31, 2014. The expiration date applies as long as
the packaging is not damaged and the medicine is stored properly. For drugs in the form of liquid
that are not directly used up, for example syrup, after the seal is opened, the expiration date is no
longer valid, syrup drugs can only be used a maximum of 6 months after the seal is opened and as
long as there is no change in odor, taste, color and shape on the remaining drug .

B.LOGO IN DRUGS

1. Free drugs

OTC drugs can be sold freely in grocery stalls, licensed drug stores, supermarkets and pharmacies. In
its use, sufferers can buy in very small amounts when the drug is needed, the type of active
substance in this class of drugs is relatively safe so that the use does not require the supervision of
medical personnel during drinking according to the instructions stated on the drug packaging.
Therefore, we recommend that this class of drugs be purchased with the packaging.

In Indonesia, this class of drugs is marked by a green circle with a black border. Which belongs to this
class of drugs, namely analgesic / pain killer (paracetamol), vitamins and minerals. There are also
herbal medicines not included in this group, but are grouped themselves in traditional medicine (TR).

2. Limited Free Rules

Limited drug is a drug that actually includes hard drugs but can still be sold or purchased freely
without a doctor's prescription, and accompanied by a warning sign. A special sign on limited drug
packaging and etiquette is a blue circle with a black border.

The warning sign is always listed on the limited drug package, in the form of four black rectangles
measuring 5 (five) centimeters in length, 2 (two) centimeters wide and containing white notices

This type of drug should only be sold freely at licensed drug stores (held by a pharmacist assistant)
and pharmacies (which can only operate if there is a pharmacist), because patients are expected to
obtain adequate drug information when buying limited over-the-counter drugs.

These class of drug samples are: pain relief, cough medicine, cold medicine and antiseptic cream.

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3. Hard drugs

Groups of drugs that may only be given on prescriptions by doctors, dentists, and veterinarians are
marked with a red circle and there is the letter K in it. Included in this group are several generic
drugs and Obligatory Drug Drugs (OWA). Also included are narcotics and psychotropic drugs
classified as hard drugs.

Psychotropic drugs are hard drugs both natural and synthetic not narcotics, which have
psychoactive properties through selective influence on the central nervous system which causes
distinct changes in mental activity and behavior.

Example: Diazepam, Phenobarbital

4. Narcotics drugs

Narcotics drugs are drugs derived from plants or not synthetic or semi-synthetic plants that can
cause a decrease or change in consciousness, loss of taste, reduce pain and cause dependence.

Example: Morphine, Petidine

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