6 Questions
What is the primary purpose of assigning generic names to drugs?
To identify the active pharmaceutical ingredient of a drug
Which type of drug name is typically long and complex and not used in clinical practice or patient communication?
Chemical name
What is the primary difference between a brand name and a generic name?
The ownership of the name
Which type of drug name is used interchangeably with 'brand name' in clinical practice?
Trade name
Which organization is responsible for assigning generic names to drugs?
Both A and B
Why are brand names often more recognizable than generic names?
Because they are used for marketing and commercial purposes
Study Notes
Drug Names
Generic Names
- Also known as non-proprietary names
- Assigned by the United States Adopted Names (USAN) Council or the World Health Organization (WHO)
- Identifies the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) of a drug
- Examples: ibuprofen, sertraline
Brand Names
- Proprietary names owned by a pharmaceutical company
- Used for marketing and commercial purposes
- Often more recognizable than generic names
- Examples: Advil (ibuprofen), Zoloft (sertraline)
Chemical Names
- Describe the chemical structure of a drug
- Typically long and complex
- Not used in clinical practice or patient communication
- Examples: (RS)-2-(4-(2-(3,5-diethylphenyl)propan-2-yl)phenoxy)propanoic acid (ibuprofen)
Trade Names
- Alternative term for brand names
- Used interchangeably with brand names
- Refers to the name under which a drug is marketed and sold
- Examples: Advil (ibuprofen), Zoloft (sertraline)
Note: Trade names are often used in the pharmaceutical industry, but the terms "brand name" and "trade name" are used interchangeably in clinical practice.
Drug Names
Generic Names
- Assigned by the United States Adopted Names (USAN) Council or the World Health Organization (WHO)
- Identify the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) of a drug
- Examples: ibuprofen, sertraline
Brand Names
- Proprietary names owned by a pharmaceutical company
- Used for marketing and commercial purposes
- Often more recognizable than generic names
- Examples: Advil (ibuprofen), Zoloft (sertraline)
Chemical Names
- Describe the chemical structure of a drug
- Typically long and complex
- Not used in clinical practice or patient communication
- Examples: (RS)-2-(4-(2-(3,5-diethylphenyl)propan-2-yl)phenoxy)propanoic acid (ibuprofen)
Trade Names
- Alternative term for brand names
- Refers to the name under which a drug is marketed and sold
- Examples: Advil (ibuprofen), Zoloft (sertraline)
- Interchangeable with brand names in clinical practice
Learn about the differences between generic and brand names of drugs, and how they are assigned and used in the pharmaceutical industry.
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