Readability of consumer medication information for intranasal corticosteroid inhalers.

Purpose: The readability of consumer medication information (CMI) inserts accompanying intranasal corticosteroid (INCS) inhalers currently prescribed in the United States was studied.
Methods: INCS inhalers were identified (n = 7) using Epocrates R(x) Pro and English- language CMI was obtained from each inhaler's manufacturer. The CMI was evaluated for reading grade level (using Fry's readability formula) and font size, dimensions (length and width), illustrations (diagrams and figures), and directions for use.
Results: The mean +/- S.D. reading grade level of the CMI was 6.9 +/- 0.7 (range, 6-8). The mean +/- S.D. font size was 9.0 +/- 2.2 (range, 6-12). The mean +/- S.D. CMI page length and width were 31.3 +/- 22.5 cm and 14.0 +/- 12.9 cm, respectively. A device-overview figure was included in three of the seven educational samples. The mean size of illustrations was 7.9 cm(2) (range, 2.9-25.9 cm(2)), with a mean +/- S.D. of 7.6 +/- 3.2 (range, 3-11) figures per CMI insert. Directions followed a logical, step-by-step chronological sequence in every CMI insert.
Conclusion: Most CMI for INCS inhalers is written at a reading level slightly higher than recommended, printed in a font size smaller than recommended, and illustrated inadequately for successful patient education.