Naming drugs is not easy. Drugs are named according to a well-thought of arrangement in which the different syllables can express accurate pieces of information about the chemical structure, uses or action of the drug.

1. Dana karem

2. What does this sign indicate?

3. Originally, the symbol indicated wisdom, eloquence and peace.
These features are undoubtedly not specific to medicine. However, the
caduceus was primarily used as a symbol of medicine in the late 19th and
early 20th centuries (Friedlander, 1992).
Caduceus as a Symbol of Medicine

4. Rx
• Rx is an abbreviation for the Latin
word "recipere" or "recipe.
• Rx can also mean "fiat mistura,"
which means "let a mixture be made”.
(Fincham, 2005)

5. Other abbreviations with xs that are widely used are:
• Sx = signs and symptoms
• Tx = treatment or transplant
• Hx = history
• Dx = diagnosis
Tips

6. A piece of information you already know
Each drug is known by three names:
– Chemical name (can be very long)
– Generic name (can be complicated)
– Trade name (can be very easy to remember)

7. Drug names
– May contain the manufacturer’s name or related elements.
– Can indicate the site of action of the drug (or the affected organ).
– Can be a combination of two or more different things.
– Can include more than one meaning.
– May mean nothing to you.
Drug Names

8. Cool Facts
Preferably, the trade name should be impressive and memorable.
Augmentin: A broad spectrum antibiotic: potassium clavulanate and
amoxicillin trihydrate. The antibacterial action and potency of the drug
are augmented and increased by this combination of potassium
clavulanate and amoxicillin trihydrate .

9. Beconase: A nasal spray to treat hay fever.
Beco-:Beclometasone
-nase: Nasal spray
Cool Facts

10. Ampiclox
A broad spectrum antibiotic prescribed to treat
infection caused by bacteria
Ampi-: Ampicilline
-clox: Cloxacilline
Cool Facts

11. Anti-tussive (cough syrups)
– Robitussin
• Robi-:Introduced under the Whitehall-Robins Healthcare label
• -tuss: Tussive: cough
– Nycoff: No cough
Cool Facts

12. • Claritin: “clarity or clearance”, clears the nasal tract.
Cool Facts

13. Cool Facts
Cardizem: Diltiazem
– Cardi-: heart
– -zem: suffix from the drug
– An anti-arrhythmic drug

14. Cool Facts
Drug names may consist of more than a syllable and each syllable
may imply a meaning.
– Cordarone
• Cor-: coronary: cor: heart
• -darone: from the generic name amiodarone

15. Cool Facts
Drug names may indicate the action, and or the disease
that the drug is designed to treat.
Lopresor /Betaloc: lowers blood pressure: beta blocker: metoprolol

16. Betacort
Betamethasone: topical corticosteroids prescribed to treat
dermatitis and skin disorders.
Cool Facts

17. Soma
Is a muscle relaxant prescribed to treat painful somatic or
physical (musculoskeletal) conditions.
Cool Facts

18. Diabeta
(Glibenclamide): used to treat diabetes mellitus
Cool Facts

19. Zovirax: Herpes simplex, zoster: Viral infection:
X; fast action
Cool Facts

20. Cool Facts
Drug names mostly do not begin with the letters H, J, K or
W as these letters may not exist in many languages. These
letters may have different sounds in different languages.
For instance, W can be pronounced as F or V.

21. Cool Facts
Drug manufacturers usually use certain verbal and
word tricks such as the use of the letters (P, T or
D) to indicate powerful outcome, or the letters (X,
F, S or Z) to mean “fast action”.

22. The “Z" and “X" in Prozac, Paxil,
Effexor, Celexa, Luvox, Xanax, are included intentionally to
enhance the perception that these drugs can act very
rapidly. Think of zoooom, Lexxxxus, extremely fast….
Fun Facts

23. Drug manufacturers love the letter X.
• Think of:
• Excellent
• XL which means "extra large”
• X Files
• The Matrix
• X-box.
Cool Facts

24. Viagra
– The prefix "vi-" suggests vigor, vital or v-energy.
– The word Viagra rhymes with Niagara and this can bring the
images and illusions of the power and rage of Niagara Falls.
Fun Facts

25. Lasix (furosemide)
The name is originally derived from the expression: Lasts
Six (hours): an indication of the duration of action.
Life, the science of biology (8th ed.). p. 1105. ISBN 9780716776710
Fun Facts

26. Asthavent (salbutamol)
– Asth: from asthma
– vent: from ventilation or exposure to air
Fun Facts

27. • Largactil (anti-psychotic)
– Larg: from large or broad
– actil: from acting or action
Fun Facts

28. Losec
Low Secretion: omperazol
A proton pump inhibitor: prescribed
to treat hyperacidity
Slow K
Slow releasing Potassium K: in combination with
diuretics such as furosemide to replace potassium
loss
Fun Facts

29. Gaviscon
A non-prescription medicine prescribed or used to treat hyperacidity
(heartburn) and associated problems.

30. Aspirin
– Anti-inflammatory
– Anti-pyretic
– Anti-platelets
– Prevention of heart attacks and strokes

31. Voltaren
Anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic and analgesia

32. Paracetamol, panadol: pan-a-dol
• Pan-: large: broad
• -dol: pain
• Pain killer
• Antipyretic

33. Felodipine
Ca-channel blocker: prescribed to treat hypertension.

34. Tetracycline
A broad spectrum antibiotic: prescribed to treat bacterial infection.
Tetracycline prescription in infancy and pregnancy can lead to this:

35. Ibuprufen
Anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic and pain killer.

36. Warfarin
– Anti-coagulant
– Blood thinner
– Indicated in:
• Thrombosis
• MI
• AF

37. Loratadine
An antihistamine: used to treat allergic reactions
and related conditions such as hay fever.

38. L-dopa
– L-DOPA crosses the blood-brain barrier, whereas
dopamine cannot.
– Indicated in the treatment of Parkinson's disease
– Is the precursor to the neurotransmitters dopamine,
norepinephrine (noradrenaline), and epinephrine
(adrenaline) [catecholamines].

39. Cilazapril (Cilaril)
– An angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACE inhibitor)
– Used for the treatment of:
• Hypertension.
• Congestive heart failure.

40. Digoxin
– Mechanism of action is not well understood: Na+/K+ ATPase pump in the
membranes of heart cells (decreases myocardial contractility)
– Indicated in the treatment of:
• AF
• Atrial flutter

41. Phenytoin
– Anti-epileptic
– Mechanism of action: stabilizing the inactive state of voltage-gated
Na-channels

42. • Epinephrine
– Also called adrenaline: means “on the kidney”
– It increases HR
– Constricts blood vessels
– Sympathetic activities accelerator
– Used in the treatment of:
• Shock
• Cardiac arrest

43. Suffixes and Drug Names
-azepam (benzodiazepine)
-azine (antiemetic; phenothiazide)
-azole (proton pump inhibitor)
-barbital (barbiturate)
-cillin (penicillin)
-cycline (antibiotic)
-ipramine (Tricyclic antidepressant)
-navir (protease inhibitor)

44. -olol (beta antagonist)
-oxin (cardiac glycoside)
-phylline (bronchodilator)
-pril (ACE inhibitor)
-terol (Beta 2 Agonist)
-tidine (H2 Antagonist)
-trophin (Pituitary Hormone)
-zosin (alpha 1 Antagonist)
-statin (cholesterol lowering agent)
Suffixes and Drug Names

45. -sartan (angiotensin receptor blocker)
-sone (glucocorticoid)
-mycin (anti-bacterial, aminoglycosides)
-vir (anti-viral)
-caine (anesthetics)
-thiazide (diuretic)
-ase (thrombolytic)
Suffixes and Drug Names

46. Common Medical Emergencies
• Acute and severe painful conditions
• Pulmonary oedema
• Acute asthma
• Hypertensive crises
• Cardiac arrests
• Arrhythmias
• Stroke
• Epilepsy
• Drug overdoes and toxicity
• Food poisoning
• Allergic reactions
• Overdoses
• Bleeding and traumatic injuries

47. • O2
• NaCl, HCO3, CaCl2, K injection, and H2O
• Pain killers and narcotics: voltaren, tramadol, morphine and pethidine
• Nitroglycerin
• Frusemide and diuretics
• Bronchodilators: salbutamol and aminophylline
• Epinephrine
• Atropine
• Lidocaine
• Nifedipine
• Amiodarone
• Diazepam
• Fibrinolytics
• Naloxone and specific Antidotes
Common Emergency drugs

48. References
Dreyer, M. (2007). Pharmacology for nurses and other health workers. Cape Town:
Pearson Education, 2007.
Fincham, J. (2005). Taking your medicine : A guide to medication regimens and
compliance for patients and caregivers. Binghampton, N.Y: Pharmaceutical
Products Press.
Friedlander, W. (1992). The golden wand of medicine : A history of the caduceus
symbol in medicine. New York: Greenwood Press.
Hopkins, S. (1999). Drugs and pharmacology for nurses. Edinburgh New York:
Churchill Livingstone.
Ipaktchian, S. (2003). The name game. Retrieved August 28, 2011, from Stanford
School of Medicine at http://www.igorinternational.com/press/stanford-trade-names-generic-drug-names.php
Kirkwood, S. (2003). What is in a name. Retrieved August 28, 2011, from Stanford
School of Medicine at http://www.igorinternational.com/press/eagletrib-drug-names.php