18 Questions
What does the number in Tylenol No. 3 represent?
Codeine concentration
Which term refers to drugs controlled by prescription due to the risk of addiction or abuse?
Controlled substances
What is the generic name for Valium?
Diazepam
In drug nomenclature, what does 'Legend drug' refer to?
Prescription drug
Which drug term is associated with restrictions by the FDA and no purchasing without a prescription?
Over the counter (OTC) drugs
What does the term 'Trade name' refer to in drug nomenclature?
Brand name of the drug
What is the key characteristic of a drug's generic name?
Derived from the chemical name
Which organization must approve a generic drug before it can be marketed in the USA?
FDA
What is the primary role of the United States Pharmacopeia and the National Formulary (USP/NF) in drug nomenclature?
Set standards for generic drug names
In which country is acetaminophen known as 'paracetamol'?
UK
What distinguishes a drug's trade/brand name from its generic name?
Capitalized first letter
Why do many drugs have multiple trade names?
To differentiate them from generic options
What defines a drug class?
All of the above
Why is Aspirin classified as a salicylate?
It contains acetylsalicylic acid
Which drug class do drugs like Aspirin belong to based on their mechanism of action?
Anticoagulants
What information does a chemical name of a drug provide?
Chemical structure of the drug
Which term refers to the drug's generic name?
Common name
What is the primary factor that determines the grouping of drugs into a specific drug class?
Mode of action or chemical similarity
Study Notes
Drug Nomenclature
- A drug can have several names:
- Chemical: refers to the chemical structure of the drug
- Generic: derived from the chemical name, with an initial lowercase letter, and may vary from country to country
- Trade/Brand: assigned by the manufacturer, with a capitalized first letter, and may have several names depending on the manufacturer
Generic Name
- Given to a drug before it becomes official
- Listed in the USP/NF (The United States Pharmacopeia and the National Formulary)
- Producing company has an exclusive right for 17 years
- Other companies can produce the same drug, but will assign their own trade name
Trade/Brand Name
- Assigned by the manufacturer
- Followed by the trademark symbol
- May have several trade names (depending on the number of manufacturers)
- May be better known than the generic name
- Can change over time as patents expire or companies merge
Drug Classifications
- A drug can belong to one or more drug classes
- A drug class is a group of drugs that have something in common
- Drugs can be classified by:
- Chemical structure
- Mechanism of action
- Therapeutic use
Drug Information
- Indications: a list of medical conditions or diseases for which the drug is meant to be used for
- May be a combination of several generic components and their corresponding amounts listed under one trade name
- Numbers may be part of the trade name, referring to the amount of one of the generic components
Legal Terms
- Over the counter (OTC): drugs with restrictions by the FDA, but no purchasing restrictions
- Legend drug: prescription drug, considered unsafe for OTC purchase due to possible harmful side effects
- Controlled substances: drugs controlled by prescription requirement due to the danger of addiction or abuse
Test your knowledge on generic drug names and the process of naming drugs before they become official. Learn about the differences in naming conventions between countries and the approval process by the FDA.
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