The labeling of non-prescriptions plays a vital role in presenting drug information for older patients to medicate themselves safely and effectively. Due to the current Research was needed to know how packaging and information processing influence older adults’ behaviors and decisions when selecting OTC medications. Eighty-two subjects with age older than 65 years were tested to examine the effect of labeling content and prominence, including: drug selections for appropriateness, eye tracking and health history interview. The results revealed their propensity for polypharmacy and less attention on the drug facts labels. Decision making regarding drug appropriateness was also questionable. Responses from 66 participants (80.5%) were “problematic”. And ibuprofen elicited problematic responses more than any other ingredients (p<0.0001). Also, the responses for appropriateness changed along with when the information prominent level varied. Participants with higher degree were more likely to maintain consistent in response (p=0.0165).The probability of viewing a certain information significantly depended on its drug category, prominent level and content (p=0.0027). For symptom relief and active ingredient, participants were more likely to view the prominently-featured information, while people viewed the brand name information regardless of the changes of its prominent level.
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