What is the main purpose of auxiliary labels on medications?

Auxiliary labels on medications serve primarily to enhance patient safety and provide crucial information to both the patient and healthcare providers. These labels are designed to alert patients to key details regarding their medications, which may not be explicitly stated in the primary labeling. They can include essential information about potential side effects, the need for special handling or storage conditions, and specific instructions for proper usage, thereby ensuring that patients have the necessary knowledge to use their medications correctly and safely.

While providing information about side effects, dosage instructions, and storage requirements are important, these aspects are typically covered in the primary labeling or product insert. Auxiliary labels complement this information but their overarching goal is to improve patient understanding and ensure safety throughout medication therapy. For example, a label indicating that a medication should be taken with food, or warning against operating heavy machinery while on the medication, directly contributes to reducing the risk of medication errors and adverse effects.