There are three basic names for drugs: the chemical name, generic name, and brand name. The chemical name is consistent and the same in all countries; the generic names and brand names can be different for the same drug depending on the country. Chemical names are very technical: for example, N-acetyl-para-aminophenol is the chemical name for generic acetaminophen or the brand name Tylenol in the US. This same drug has the generic name of paracetamol in the UK with a brand name of Panadol.
Generic names are important because they serve as a clear identifier of an ingredient in a product, though the advertising may seem to imply other attributes of the drug. In the past, names of drugs became standardized as city-states emerged, especially during the Middle Ages. As civilization progressed and international relations increased there was a need for a more standardized approach to naming drugs. Currently, in our country we use the United States Adopted Name system (USAN), a nonproprietary designation for a compound used as a drug, established by negotiation between its manufacturer and a council sponsored jointly by the American Medical Association, American Pharmacist Association, and United States Pharmacopeial Convention, Inc. The USAN coordinates its naming practices with the World Health Organization.
When a generic drug is named, it has a specific suffix or stem attached to the name to clearly identify it as included in a certain class of drugs. Some familiar suffixes or stems are:
vir- an antiviral (acyclovir)
cillin- penicillin like drug (amoxicillin)
cef – cephalosporin like antibiotic (cephalexin)
mab- monoclonal antibodies (various drugs)
vastatin- cholesterol lowering drugs (atorvastatin)
grel- platelet inhibitor (clopidogrel)
olol – beta-blocker for blood pressure (metoprolol)
prazole- proton pump inhibitor for stomach acid (omeprazole)
oxetine- antidepressants that are related to fluoxetine
pril- angio-tension inhibitor (ACEI) for blood pressure (lisinopril)
barb- a barbiturate for sedation, anxiety, and seizures (phenobarbital)
caine- local anesthetic (lidocaine)
Interesting stories surround how some drugs have been named.
- Premarin- estrogen medication obtained from Pregnant Mares Urine.
- Nystatin- an antifungal, discovered by two scientists who worked for the New York State Health Department.
- Bacitracin- discovered from a bacillus bacterium from an open wound in a woman named Tracey.
- Warfarin- discovered through research funded by the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation.
- Glucophage- Glucose and phage (glucose eater), brand name for metformin, a diabetic medication.
- Valium- and anti-anxiety drug- vale- Latin referring to “farewell/goodnight”.
- Lasix- a diuretic that causes diuresis, lasting for about six hours.
- Ambien- Am for morning and bien, Spanish for good.
- Montelukast- a drug for asthma or COPD, developed in Montreal.
- Prevacid- a proton pump acid inhibitor- Prevent acid formation.
- Tylenol- from the chemical name n-aceTYL-para-aminophENOL.
- Bactroban- an antibiotic ointment to “ban” bacteria.
- Vicodin- a hydrocodone containing drug used for pain, supposed to be six times more potent than codeine, thus the VI (for 6) and codin for codeine.
People on chronic maintenance medications should keep a list, maybe take a picture of your bottles to keep on your phone. Names of drugs can be confusing, and many of the drugs that are prescribed are written by brand names, but by law pharmacists in Florida must offer you the generic equivalent unless you decline or the provider marks the prescription as “no substitution”. Consequently, there is a lot in the name.
Stay informed and stay healthy.
What do you think?