Who is the audience for this webpage?

FDA’s patient labeling specific resources on this webpage are primarily directed to industry staff who develop patient labeling for prescription drugs.* For more information about:

• Other general prescription drug labeling resources for industry such as those for the Prescribing Information, FDA-approved patient labeling, carton and container labeling, biological product labeling, labeling databases, and product databases visit FDA’s Labeling Resources for Human Prescription Drugs. 
• Drug labeling resources for healthcare professionals, patients, and caregivers, visit Frequently Asked Questions about Labeling for Prescription Medicines.

What are Instructions for Use?

The Instructions for Use (IFU) is patient labeling that can be part of FDA-approved prescription drug labeling for a biologics license application (BLA), a new drug application (NDA), or an abbreviated new drug application (ANDA). The IFU is developed by applicants for patients (or their caregivers) who use prescription drugs that have complicated or detailed patient-use instructions. The IFU provides detailed, action-oriented, step-by-step written and visual instructions for the patient on how to use the drug* including instructions on preparation, administration, handling, storage, and disposal.  The IFU is developed by the applicant, reviewed and approved by FDA, and provided to patients (or their caregivers) when the drug is dispensed.  Some IFUs are not approved by the FDA.  IFU resources include:

• Instructions for Use - Patient Labeling for Human Prescription Drug and Biological Products and Drug-Device and Biologic-Device Combination Products (draft guidance)
• Instructions for Use Draft Guidance presentation (2019 presentation and video)
• An additional guidance that has specific recommendations for the IFU: Metered Dose Inhaler and Dry Powder Inhaler Drug Products - Quality Considerations (draft guidance)

Below see an example IFU template that provides a general overview of the IFU (this IFU does not contain any product-specific information).

What are Medication Guides?

A Medication Guide is patient labeling that is part of the FDA-approved prescription drug labeling for certain prescription drugs when the FDA determines that:

• Patient labeling could help prevent serious adverse reactions
• The drug has serious risk(s) (relative to benefits) of which patients should be made aware because information concerning the risk(s) could affect patients' decision to use, or to continue to use, the product, or
• Patient adherence to directions for use is crucial to the drug’s effectiveness.

Medication Guides (MGs) are developed by applicants, approved by FDA, and required to be distributed to patients.  MG resources include:

• MG regulations available at 21 CFR 208
• Medication Guides - Distribution Requirements and Inclusion in Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) (final guidance)
• FDA Drug Information Webinar: Distribution of Medication Guides
• A guidance that has specific recommendations for the MG is the following:  Child-Resistant Packaging Statements in Drug Product Labeling (final guidance).

Below see an example MG template that provides a general overview of the MG (this MG does not contain any product-specific information). 

What are Patient Package Inserts?

A Patient Package Insert (PPI), also known as “Patient Information” is patient labeling that can be part of the FDA-approved prescription drug labeling. Certain PPIs are developed by the manufacturer and approved by the FDA. 

PPIs are required for oral contraceptives and estrogen-containing products and for drugs approved for indications based solely on animal studies, and these PPIs are required to be dispensed with each prescription:

• PPIs for oral contraceptives (21 CFR 310.501)
• PPIs for estrogens (21 CFR 310.515)
• PPIs for drugs approved for indications based solely on animal studies (21 CFR 314.610(b)(3) and 21 CFR 601.91(b)(3))

PPIs for other prescription drugs are submitted to the FDA voluntarily by the manufacturer and approved by the FDA, but their distribution is not mandated.

A guidance that has specific recommendations for the PPI is the Child-Resistant Packaging Statements in Drug Product Labeling (final guidance).

Below see an example PPI template that provides a general overview of the PPI (this PPI does not contain any product-specific information).  The headings in this example PPI may not be applicable to all PPIs.    

Contact Information

For specific application or supplement questions or for general questions about prescription drug labeling, please visit Prescription Drug Labeling Contact Information.

For general questions about patient labeling or this website please email [email protected].