Every medication comes with a package insert (also called a patient information leaflet or PIL). These documents are legally required and contain everything you need to use a drug safely. But let's be honest — most people never read them, and those who try often give up halfway through.

In this guide, we'll walk you through each section so you know exactly where to look for the information you need.

The first section lists the brand name and the active ingredient (the actual drug substance). This is important because the same active ingredient can be sold under many brand names. For example, ibuprofen is sold as Advil, Nurofen, Brufen, and dozens of other brands.

Tip: Always note the active ingredient, not just the brand name. This helps prevent accidental double-dosing when taking multiple products.

This section tells you which conditions the medication is approved to treat. If you're using a drug for a condition not listed here, it's considered "off-label" use — discuss this with your doctor.

One of the most important sections. It tells you:

- How much to take (dose)

- How often to take it

- Whether to take it with food or on an empty stomach

- Maximum daily dose

- Special instructions (e.g., "swallow whole, do not crush")

Tip: Pay special attention to maximum daily doses. Exceeding them is one of the most common medication errors.

Contraindications are situations where you should NOT take the medication. Common examples include:

- Allergy to the active ingredient

- Pregnancy or breastfeeding

- Certain medical conditions (e.g., stomach ulcers for NSAIDs)

- Age restrictions

Side effects are listed by frequency: very common (>1/10), common (>1/100), uncommon (>1/1,000), rare (>1/10,000), and very rare (<1/10,000). Don't be alarmed by the long list — most people experience few or none. Focus on the common ones and know which rare ones require immediate medical attention.

This section tells you how to store the medication properly — temperature, light exposure, humidity. Improper storage can make drugs less effective or even dangerous.

1. Read the insert before the first dose — not after you notice a problem

2. Keep the insert — store it with the medication for future reference

3. Check the expiry date — listed on both the box and the insert

4. Use PillsCard to look up simplified drug information in your language

5. Ask your pharmacist if anything in the insert is unclear — that's what they're there for