Do You Have Trouble Understanding a Pill Bottle Label?

Can’t remember what the doctor told you about taking those pills? Don’t know if you should take them before or after a meal?

You’re not alone.

A recent study of the health literacy of adults in their 30s to 50s found that about a third had trouble completing ordinary health-related tasks. People with less education, lower income, were unemployed, or identified as Black or Hispanic/Latino tended to have lower health literacy.

Unfortunately, people with lower health literacy may have more chronic health conditions and be taking more prescription medications. This is a recipe for future health problems. Those with the lowest health literacy are those who have the most difficulty figuring out when during the day to take each of multiple prescription pills. They risk having increasingly poorer health as they age.

If you have any confusion about your medications, it is wise to ask your pharmacist. A free consultation can clear up any misunderstanding you may have about dosage and timing of each of your prescribed medicines.