Beware of confusion between lookalike vials

date: 27/04/2026

Many liquid medicines, food supplements, medical devices … come in liquid form, bottled in vials of different sizes. Such vials can easily be confused, which can be dangerous. Always check the product you intend to use.

You probably have several vials in your medicine cabinet at home. They may contain, for example, cough syrup, a wart remedy, vitamins, inhalation drops, etc.
Some vials may not contain medicines, but other liquid products such as essential oils, plant extracts, homeopathic remedies, mouthwash, liquid bandage or food supplements. Some of those products should be applied to the skin (external use), while others must be swallowed or inhaled (internal use).

Incorrect use of a product can be dangerous.
Do you need to use one of these vials? Always check that it is the correct product and, above all, how it should be used.

Tips to avoid mistakes

  • Store the vial in its original packaging, whenever possible.
  • Read the leaflet carefully to ensure that you take the correct dose.
  • In the package leaflet, check how to use the medicine: orally, on your skin or with an inhaler.
  • Check the vial label: product name, dosage, use, etc.
    If it says ‘external use’, the product must not be swallowed.
  • Pay attention to the product's smell: a vitamin smells differently from an essential oil.
  • Always keep vials out of children's reach to avoid accidents.

Questions or doubts?
When in doubt, consult your pharmacist before using the product.
If an error should occur, call the Poison Control Centre (070 245 245) immediately.

How to notify a medication error?

  • Errors without side effects
    Potential or actual errors without side effects can be reported via medication-errors@fagg-afmps.be.
  • Errors with side effects
    If the error provokes an adverse reaction, please use the classic reporting system to describe the situation, via this form.

Communications on this subject (in French and Dutch)

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