The Meaning of the Symbols on the Medicine Packages Are Different, Recognize the 7 Shapes! | Good Doctor

Drugs sold in the market are very diverse. As a buyer, it is important to understand the meaning of the symbols on the drug packaging.

Although intended to treat the same disease, the drugs are produced differently. Both in terms of the formulation of the ingredients, as well as the way it reacts in the body.

Why are there different meanings of symbols on drug packaging?

The general guideline for the Indonesian National Drug Information Information Center states that according to applicable regulations, before being approved for distribution in Indonesia, drugs must go through an evaluation of their efficacy, safety and quality.

These provisions include information regarding pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of drugs, indications, how to use, safety, and other information which is certainly not based on claims.

All must be in accordance with medical principles, namely drugs that have been scientifically proven.

So, drugs that are approved for distribution in Indonesia are also required to include symbols on their packaging. If you pay attention, the round symbol has different colors and images.

Also read: Get to know Ranitidine: How to use it and its side effects

Recognize the meaning of symbols on drug packaging

Drug symbols are divided into three categories: over-the-counter drugs, limited over-the-counter drugs, and hard drugs. To find out what it means, let’s get to know the symbols, come on!

Green circle (over the counter drug)

Over-the-counter drugs are sold freely in the market and can be purchased without the need for a doctor’s prescription. Examples of drugs that are sold freely are drugs that contain paracetamol or vitamin and mineral supplements.

The meaning of the symbols on the drug packaging with blue circle (limited over-the-counter drugs)

Just like over-the-counter drugs, limited over-the-counter drugs with a blue circle symbol can be purchased without a doctor’s prescription and are safe for self-medication.

However, what sets it apart is that the limited free drugs are accompanied by a warning sign in the form of hard drugs which are symbolized by a rectangular image with white writing and are divided into 6 types, namely:

P.No. 1

Watch out! Potent drug. Read the rules of use

P.No. 2

Watch out! Potent drug. Just to gargle, don’t swallow

P.No. 3

Watch out! Potent drug. Only for the outside of the body

P.No. 4

Watch out! Potent drug. Only to be burned

P.No. 5

Watch out! Potent drug. Not to be taken internally

P.No. 6

Watch out! Potent drug. Hemorrhoid medicine, don’t swallow it

One example of limited free drugs, among others, is chlorpheniramine (CTM).

Red circle with a K in the middle (hard drugs)

Hard drugs may only be sold in pharmacies and must be accompanied by a doctor’s prescription to purchase them.

Examples of hard drugs are drugs containing mefenamic acid, loratadine, clobazam, pseudoephedrine, or alprazolam. Consumption of these drugs must be monitored with a doctor’s prescription because the abuse of hard drugs can damage the body.

Red circle with red cross in the middle (narcotic/psychotropic drugs)

Sales of this type of narcotic drug are very strict because they must use a doctor’s prescription, accompanied by a doctor’s signature and license number.

The purchase of this symbol drug must use the original recipe, right copy recipe. This is because the abuse of narcotics/psychotropics can lead to dependence.

It can also affect the central nervous system to behavior in long-term abuse, if consumed outside of a doctor’s supervision.

Also read: Cefixime: Drug Dosage to Side Effects You Can Feel

Green circle with symbol like snow (phytopharmaca)

This symbol indicates a drug in the phytopharmaca category. Phytopharmaca are traditional medicines that have been clinically tested so that they can be used to treat like modern medicines.

Green circle with three green stars symbol (standardized herbal medicine)

Standardized herbal medicines, aka OHT, are drugs that are the result of extraction of natural ingredients such as from animals, plants, and/or minerals.

Standardized herbal medicines available in the market have gone through a high-tech preclinical testing process to test a number of things such as toxicity standards.

Green circle with a picture of green twigs on a yellow background (jamu)

This symbol denotes medicine prepared in a traditional way consisting of herbal ingredients, hygienic and used traditionally.

Jamu is mixed with recipes passed down from generation to generation across generations. Drugs in this category have not been scientifically studied, but are widely considered to be efficacious.

Also read: Stomach Acid Makes You Uncomfortable? This is the medicine you need to take

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