Drug Labels

Types of Drug Labels

  • Over The Counter (OTC):  Over the counter drugs do not require a veterinarian's prescription when used exactly according to the manufacturers label.     These medications have been determined to be safe and effective for use without supervision of a veterinarian.
  • Prescription (Rx): Drugs that have special safety concerns related to animal, administrator, or food safety are approved as prescription drugs.  These are required to have a warning statement on the label of "Caution: Federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian"
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  • Extra Label Drug Use (ELDU): Either OTC or Rx drugs used differently than described on the manufacturer's label is considered extra label use.  ELDU can only be performed under the supervision of a veterinarian who will apply their own label to the medication.
  • Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD): Prescription only medicated feed.  Must be used according to the labeled directions.

Components of a Drug Label

Whether OTC, Rx, ELDU, or VFD, the drug label includes necessary details that allows the drug to be safely used and protect the human food chain from drug residues. This information may be applied on the label by the manufacturer or attached by the veterinarian. 
  • Established/brand name of drug
  • Active Ingredient
  • Species or production class approved for use in
  • Dose and frequency of administration
  • Route of administration
  • Duration of treatment
  • Withholding period
  • Cautionary statements
    • ex/ Volume per injection site not to exceed
    • ex/ Production class not to be used in