Understanding Vial Labels and Dosage Instructions
It is common to have questions about how vial labels relate to your prescribed dose. Below is an explanation to help clarify why vial labels may look different from your weekly injection instructions.
What vial labels represent
Vial labels describe the total medication strength or concentration contained in the vial, not the amount you are meant to inject each week.
Your prescribed dose is determined by your provider and is based on the specific injection volume listed on your dosing card, not the vial label itself.
Because of this, the number shown on the vial may not match your weekly dose, and this does not indicate an error.
How injection volume and dose work together
Your provider and pharmacy calculate the correct medication concentration so that the injection volume listed on your dosing card delivers the prescribed dose.
In some treatment plans, the injection volume may stay the same over time while the medication concentration in the vial changes. In other cases, both the volume and concentration may change. This depends entirely on your individual prescription.
For this reason, patients should never attempt to calculate their dose based on the vial label alone.
Why vial labels may not match your weekly dose
If your vial label shows a different milligram amount than your prescribed weekly dose, this does not mean the medication is incorrect.
The vial label reflects the strength of the medication supplied by the pharmacy, while your dosing card tells you exactly how much to inject to receive the correct dose.
Your provider and pharmacist have already completed the necessary calculations to ensure accuracy.
Important reminder
Always follow the injection instructions provided on your personalized dosing card.
Do not adjust your dose based on the vial label.
If anything looks unclear or confusing, contact the Care Team or message your provider through the Patient Portal before injecting.