Helping Patients Simplify and Safely Use Complex Prescription Regimens

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Abstract
Patients frequently misunderstand common instructions and warnings that accompany prescription drugs, resulting in unintentional misuse and potentially adverse drug events.1-6 This should not be surprising, as prescription labels may provide seemingly simple but often unclear directions that are confusing to most patients. In the United States, physician prescriptions and pharmacy labeling typically include vague information detailing recommended medication schedules described either in hourly intervals (eg, every 4-6 hours) or times per day (eg, twice daily). Davis et al1 found that nearly half of patients misinterpreted common instructions when attempting to dose a single prescription medication.

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