How to Read a Medication Label the Right Way

Every over-the-counter medication label follows the same layout, and once you know where to look, you can spot interactions and dosing issues in under a minute.

Start with the active ingredient — not the brand name. Two products with different names may share the same molecule, and doubling up is a common cause of accidental overdose.

Check the 'Do not use' and 'Ask a doctor' sections. These flag the conditions and combinations that matter most for you.