Structure and content of the package leaflet

What diseases does a medicine treat?

This section deals with the areas of application of the medicine. It tells you which disease the medicine helps against.

It is about what the medicine does in the body. For example, whether it relieves pain. Or whether it lowers blood pressure.

It also tells you in which part of the body the medicine works. Or in which body system. One body system, for example, is the circulatory system.

What is a package leaflet?

Medicines are usually packed in a small cardboard box. In this cardboard box you will also find an instruction leaflet.

The package leaflet is also called the package insert. The leaflet contains important information about the medicine.

For example, it tells you how to take the medicine. Or how to store it.

The package leaflet is important. If you do not understand it, ask your doctor or pharmacist. They can explain the package leaflet to you.

What side effects are possible?

Here you can find out what side effects you may experience if you take the medicine. And also what you can do about them.

Side effects are effects of medication that are not desired. Medication then has another effect in addition to the intended effect.

Keep a close eye on yourself when you are taking medication. You will then be better able to determine whether you are experiencing side effects from the medication.

Some side effects occur frequently. Some side effects only occur very rarely.
If you experience serious side effects, tell your doctor or pharmacist.

If you have side effects that are not listed on the package leaflet, tell your doctor or pharmacist.

What warnings should you observe?

Here you can find out when you should not take the medicine.

There are various reasons why you should not take a medicine. For example, some medicines should not be taken during pregnancy. Or if you are breastfeeding.

You may also be allergic to certain active ingredients. If the active ingredient is in the medication, you should not take it.

Sometimes different medicines interact with each other. This is called interactions. The interactions are also listed in the package leaflet.

Talk to your doctor if you are unsure. The doctor can help you.

What other information should you take into account?

This section contains information that is also important for the medication.

For example, what the medication should look like. Or how many medicines are in the packaging.

There is also information about the ingredients in the medicine. A medicine always consists of many different substances.

Sometimes you no longer need medication. Or the medication is old. Then you must no longer use them. This can be dangerous.

It is then important that you dispose of them correctly. You should throw the old medication in its packaging into the residual waste.
They must not be disposed of in the sink or toilet. This is not good for the environment.

How should you store the medication?

The package leaflet tells you how to store the medication. There are a few things that are always important.

You should always store medicines together with the package leaflet.

The medication should not be left in the sun. And the room must not be too hot.

Also make sure that children cannot take the medication.

You will also find an expiry date. You should not use the medication after this date.

Sometimes other things are important for storage. For example, some medicines need to be kept in the fridge. Or they can only be kept for a certain time after opening.

You can find this information in the package leaflet for the medicine.

How should you take the medicine?

This section of the package leaflet tells you how to take the medicine correctly. There are various instructions on this.

For example, it tells you how often you should take the medicine. Or at what time of day.

It also tells you how much of the medicine you should take. This is important so that you don’t take too much or too little.

Your doctor or pharmacist may have told you how to take the medicine. If so, this is more important than what is written on the package leaflet.