Common Generic Name and Brand Name

Introduction

During university years, we are learning medicines by their active ingredient name.

• However, in daily working life, it is a norm to see doctors prescribing drugs using brand name.
• Hence, it is handy to learn some common brand names.

Few years back, doctors are urged to prescribe drugs by active ingredients. However, with the proliferation of biosimilars and liposomal or pegylated forms, health care professionals are now encouraged to communicate using product name for certain circumstances (e.g. bioavailability differences, release profile variations, biologics and biosimilars, licence variations and patient factors) to avoid confusion.

• May refer here for examples of medicines to be prescribed by brand name in primary care.

Analgesics

NSAIDs

• Celecoxib (Celebrex)
• Diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren)
• Esflurbiprofen Patch (Locoa)
• Etoricoxib (Arcoxia)
• Flurbiprofen Patch (Acustop Cataplasma)
• Ibuprofen (Nurofen)
• Ketoprofen Gel (Fastum)
• Ketoprofen Patch (Ketotop)
• Mefenamic Acid (Ponstan)
• Meloxicam (Mobic)
• Naproxen (Synflex)

Opioids

• Buprenorphine Patch (Sovenor)
• Fentanyl Patch (Duragesic)
• Oxycodone (OxyNorm, OxyContin)
• Oxycodone/Naloxone (Targin)
• Tramadol (Acugesic)

Paracetamol

• Paracetamol (Panadol)
• Paracetamol/Ibuprofen (Maxigesic)
• Paracetamol/Orphenadrine (Norgesic, Myoflex)
• Paracetamol/Tramadol (Ultracet)

Antidiabetics

DPPV-4 Inhibitors

• Linagliptin (Trajenta)
• Saxagliptin (Onglyza)
• Sitagliptin (Januvia)
• Vildagliptin (Galvus)

GLP-1 Analogues

• Dulaglutide (Trulicity)
• Liraglutide (Victoza, Saxenda)
• Lixisenatide (Lyxumia)
• Semaglutide (Ozempic, Rybelsus)

Insulins

• Insulin Aspart (Novorapid, Fiasp)
• Insulin Aspart/Protaminated Insulin Aspart (NovoMix)
• Insulin Degludec (Tresiba)
• Insulin Degludec/Aspart (Ryzodeg)
• Insulin Detemir (Levemir)
• Insulin Glargine (Lantus, Toujeo)
• Insulin Glulisine (Apidra)
• Insulin Lispro (Humalog)
• Insulin Lispro/Insulin Lispro Protamine (Humalog Mix)

SGLT2 Inhibitors

• Canagliflozin (Invokana)
• Dapagliflozin (Forxiga)
• Empagliflozin (Jardiance)
• Ertugliflozin (Steglatro)
• Luseogliflozin (Lusefi)

Sulfonylureas

• Glibenclamide (Daonil)
• Gliclazide (Diamicron)
• Glimepiride (Amaryl)

Combinations

• Dapagliflozin/Metformin (Xigduo XR)
• Dapagliflozin/Saxagliptin (Qtern)
• Empagliflozin/Linagliptin (Glyxambi)
• Empagliflozin/Metformin (Jardiance Duo)
• Ertugliflozin/Sitagliptin (Steglujan)
• Glibenclamide/Metformin (Glucovance)
• Insulin Glargine/Lixisenatide (Soliqua)
• Linagliptin/Metformin (Trajenta Duo)
• Saxagliptin/Metformin (Kombiglyze XR)
• Sitagliptin/Metformin (Janumet)
• Vildagliptin/Metformin (GalvusMet)

Others

• Acarbose (Glucobay)
• Metformin (Glucophage)
• Pioglitazone (Actos)

Antihistamines

• Bilastine (Bilaxten)
• Cetirizine (Zyrtec)
• Chlorpheniramine (Piriton)
• Desloratadine (Aerius)
• Dexchlorpheniramine (Polarax)
• Fexofenadine (Telfast)
• Hydroxyzine (Atarax)
• Levocetirizine (Xyzal)
• Loratadine (Clarityne)
• Loratadine/Pseudoephedrine (Clarinase)
• Promethazine (Phenergan)
• Triprolidine/Pseudoephedrine (Actifed, Fedac)

Antihypertensives

ACE Inhibitors

• Enalapril (Renitec)
• Lisinopril (Zestril)
• Perindopril (Coversyl)
• Ramipril (Tritace)

Antiadrenergic Agents

• Methyldopa (Aldomet)
• Moxonidine (Physiotens)
• Prazosin (Minipress)

Beta Blockers

• Atenolol (Tenormin)
• Bisoprolol (Concor)
• Carvedilol (Dilatrend)
• Labetalol (Trandate)
• Metoprolol (Betaloc)
• Nebivolol (Nebilet)
• Propranolol (Inderal)

Calcium Channel Blockers

• Amlodipine (Norvasc)
• Diltiazem (Herbesser)
• Felodipine (Plendil)
• Nifedipine (Adalat)

Diuretics

• Frusemide (Lasix)
• Indapamide (Natrilix)
• Spironolactone (Aldactone)

Sartans

• Candesartan (Atacand)
• Irbesartan (Aprovel)
• Losartan (Cozaar)
• Olmesartan (Olmetec)
• Telmisartan (Micardis)
• Valsartan (Diovan)

Combinations

• Amiloride/Hydrochlorothiazide (Moduride)
• Amlodipine/Atorvastatin (Caduet)
• Amlodipine/Indapamide (Natrixam)
• Amlodipine/Indapamide/Perindopril (Triplixam)
• Amlodipine/Irbesartan (Aprovasc)
• Amlodipine/Telmisartan (Twynsta)
• Amlodipine/Olmesartan (Azoren)
• Amlodipine/Perindopril (Coveram)
• Amlodipine/Valsartan (Exforge)
• Amlodipine/Valsartan/Hydrochlorothiazide (Exforge HCT)
• Bisoprolol/Hydrochlorothiazide (Lodoz)
• Candesartan/Hydrochlorothiazide (Atacand Plus)
• Irbesartan/Hydrochlorothiazide (Co-aprovel)
• Losartan/Hydrochlorothiazide (Hyzaar, Fortzaar)
• Olmesartan/Hydrochlorothiazide (Olmetec Plus)
• Perindopril Arginine/Amlodipine (Coveram)
• Perindopril/Indapamide (Coversyl Plus)
• Sacubitril/Valsartan (Entresto)
• Telmisartan/Hydrochlorothiazide (Micardis Plus)
• Valsartan/Hydrochlorothiazide (Co-Diovan)

Anti-infectives

Antifungals

• Fluconazole (Diflucan)
• Itraconazole (Sporanox)
• Miconazole (Daktarin)
• Posaconazole (Noxafil)
• Voriconazole (Vfend)

Antibacterials

• Amoxicillin/Clavulanate (Augmentin)
• Ampicillin/Sulbactam (Sultamicillin, Unasyn)
• Azithromycin (Zithromax)
• Cefuroxime (Zinnat)
• Ceftazidime (Fortum)
• Ceftriaxone (Rocephin)
• Ciprofloxacin (Ciprobay)
• Doxycycline (Vibramycin)
• Fosfomycin (Monurol)
• Imipenem/Cilastatin (Tienam)
• Levofloxacin (Cravit)
• Linezolid (Zyvox)
• Metronidazole (Flagyl)
• Moxifloxacin (Avelox)
• Ofloxacin (Tarivid)
• Piperacillin/Tazobactam (Tazocin)
• Sulfamethoxazole/Trimethoprim (Bactrim)
• Trimethoprim (Alprim)

Antivirals

• Abacavir/Lamivudine (Kivexa)
• Acyclovir (Zovirax)
• Darunavir (Prezista)
• Dolutegravir (Tivicay)
• Efavirenz (Stocrin)
• Entecavir (Baraclude)
• Lopinavir/Ritonavir (Kaletra)
• Oseltamivir (Tamiflu)
• Raltegravir (Isentress)
• Ritonavir (Norvir)
• Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarte/Emtricitabine (Tenvir EM)
• Valganciclovir (Valcyte)
• Zidovudine (Retrovir)
• Zidovudine/Lamivudine (Combivir)

Benzimidazoles

• Albendazole (Zentel)

Blood

Antiplatelets

• Aspirin/Clopidogrel (CoPlavix)
• Aspirin/Glycine (Cardiprin)
• Clopidogrel (Plavix)
• Prasugrel (Effient)
• Ticagrelor (Brilinta)
• Ticlopidine (Ticlid)

Direct Oral Anticoagulants

• Apixaban (Eliquis)
• Dabigatran (Pradaxa)
• Fondaparinux (Arixtra)
• Rivaroxaban (Xarelto)

Heparins

• Enoxaparin (Clexane)

Cardiovascular

Antiarrhythmics

• Amiodarone (Cordarone)
• Digoxin (Lanoxin)

Nitrates

• Isosorbide Dinitrate (Isordil)
• Isosorbide Mononitrate (Imdur)

Others

• Ivabradine (Coralan)
• Trimetazidine (Vastarel)

Dermatological Drugs

Acne

• Adapalene (Differin)
• Adapalene/Benzoyl Peroxide (Epiduo)
• Azelaic Acid (Skinoren)
• Benzoyl Peroxide (Benzac AC)
• Clindamycin/Benzoyl Peroxide (Duac)
• Tretinoin (Retin-A)

Antibacterials

• Fusidic Acid (Fucidin)
• Metronidazole (Metrogyl)
• Mupirocin (Bactroban)

Antivirals

• Acyclovir (Zovirax)

Antifungals

• Amorolfine (Loceryl)
• Bifonazole (Canespro)
• Clotrimazole (Canesten)
• Ketoconazole (Nizoral)
• Miconazole (Daktarin)
• Sertaconazole (Konzert)
• Terbinafine (Lamisil)

Corticosteroids

• Betamethasone Valerate (Betnovate)
• Clobetasone (Eumovate)
• Clobetasol (Dermovate)
• Hydrocortisone (Efficort)
• Mometasone (Elomet)

Others

• Calcipotriol (Daivonex)
• Crotamiton (Eurax)
• Betamethasone Dipropionate/Calcipotriol (Daivobet, Enstilar, Xamiol)
• Betamethasone Valerate/Neomycin (Betnovate-N)
• Fusidic Acid/Betamethasone Valerate (Fucicort)
• Gamma Benzene Hexachloride (Lindane)
• Imiquimod (Aldara)
• Permethrin (A-Lices, A-Scabs)
• Pimecrolimus (Elidel)
• Selenium sulphide (Selsun)
• Tacrolimus (Protopic)

Dyslipidemic Agent

Statins

• Atorvastatin (Lipitor)
• Fluvastatin (Lescol)
• Rosuvastatin (Crestor)
• Simvastatin (Zocor)

Fibrates

• Fenofibrate (Lipanthyl Penta)
• Gemfibrozil (Lopid)

PCSK-9 Inhibitors

• Alirocumab (Praluent)
• Evolocumab (Repatha)

Others

• Ezetimibe (Ezetrol)
• Atorvastatin/Ezetimibe (Atozet)
• Ezetimibe/Simvastatin (Vytorin)
• Fenofibrate/Simvastatin (Cholib)

Ear, Nose and Throat Drugs

Nasal Sprays

• Azelastine/Fluticasone (Dymista)
• Beclomethasone (Beconase Aqueous)
• Budesonide (Rhinocort Aqua)
• Ciclesonide (Omnaris)
• Fluticasone (Avamys)
• Olopatadine/Mometasone (Rylatris)
• Oxymetazoline (Afrin, Iliadin, Oxy-nase)
• Mometasone (Nasonex)
• Triamcinolone (Nasacort Aq)
• Xylometazoline (Otrivin)

Vertigo

• Betahistine (Betaserc)

Electrolytes

Iron Chelators

• Deferasirox (Exjade)
• Deferiprone (Ferriprox)

Phosphate Binders

• Lanthanum (Fosrenol)
• Sevelamer (Renvela)
• Sucroferric Oxyhydroxide (Velphoro)

Others

• Potassium chloride SR (Slow K)

Endocrines

• Levothyroxine (Euthyrox, Oroxine)
• Cabergoline (Dostinex)
• Desmopressin (Minirin)

Eye Drugs

Antibacterials

• Ciprofloxacin (Ciloxan)
• Fusidic Acid (Fucithalmic)
• Levofloxacin (Cravit)
• Moxifloxacin (Vigamox)
• Ofloxacin (Tarivid)

Corticosteroids

• Dexamethasone (Maxidex)
• Fluorometholone (FML)
• Prednisolone (Pred Forte)

Glaucoma

• Acetazolamide (Diamox)
• Betaxolol (Betoptic S)
• Bimatoprost (Lumigan)
• Bimatoprost/Timolol (Ganfort)
• Brimonidine (Alphagan P)
• Brimonidine/Brinzolamide (Simbrinza)
• Brimonidine/Timolol (Combigan)
• Brinzolamide (Azopt)
• Brinzolamide/Timolol (Azarga)
• Dorzolamide (Trusopt)
• Dorzolamide/Timolol (Cosopt)
• Latanoprost (Xalatan)
• Latanoprost/Timolol (Xalacom)
• Tafluprost (Taflotan)
• Tafluprost/Timolol (Tapcom-S)
• Travoprost (Travatan)
• Travoprost/Timolol (DuoTrav)

NSAIDs

• Ketorolac (Acular)
• Nepafenac (Nevanac)

Others

• Olopatadine (Patanol, Pataday)
• Sodium Cromoglycate (Opticrom)

Gastrointestinal Drugs

Antidiarrhea

• Atropine/Diphenoxylate (Lomotil)
• Dioctahedral Smectite (Smecta)
• Loperamide (Imodium)
• Racecadotril (Hidrasec)

Constipation

• Bisacodyl (Dulcolax)
• Lactulose (Duphalac)
• Macrogol (Fortrans)
• Senna (Senokot)

H2 Antagonists

• Cimetidine (Tagamet)
• Famotidine (Pepcid)
• Ranitidine (Zantac)

Nausea and Vomiting

• Aprepitant (Emend)
• Granisetron (Kytril)
• Metoclopramide (Maxolon)
• Prochlorperazine (Stemetil)

Proton Pump Inhibitors

• Dexlansoprazole (Dexilant)
• Esomeprazole (Nexium)
• Lansoprazole (Prevacid)
• Omeprazole (Losec)
• Pantoprazole (Controloc)
• Rabeprazole (Pariet)

Others

• Diosmin/Hesperidin (Daflon)
• Domperidone (Motilium)
• Hyoscine Butylbromide (Buscopan)
• Itopride (Ganaton)
• Mebeverine (Dupastalin)
• Mesalazine (Pentasa, Salofalk)
• Ursodeoxycholic acid (Ursofalk)
• Vonoprazan (Vocinti)

Genitourinary Drugs

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

• Alfuzosin (Xatral)
• Doxazosin (Cardura)
• Dutasteride (Avodart)
• Dutasteride/Tamsulosin (Duodart)
• Finasteride (Proscar, Propecia)
• Silodosin (Urief)
• Tamsulosin (Harnal OCAS)
• Terazosin (Hytrin)

Phosphodiesterase-4 Inhibitors

• Avanafil (Spedra)
• Sildenafil (Viagra)
• Tadalafil (Cialis)
• Udenafil (Zydena)
• Vardenafil (Levitra)

Urinary Incontinence

• Solifenacin (Vesicare)
• Tolterodine (Detrusitol)

Immunomodulators and Antineoplastics

• Anastrozole (Arimedex)
• Bortezomib (Velcade)
• Capecitabine (Xeloda)
• Chlorambucil (Leukeran)
• Cyclophosphamide (Endoxan)
• Docetaxel (Taxotere)
• Everolimus (Afinitor, Certican)
• Filgrastim (Neupogen)
• Imatinib (Glivec)
• Lenalidomide (Revlimid)
• Letrozole (Femara)
• Melphalan (Alkeran)
• Mycophenolate Mofetil (Cellcept)
• Mycophenolic Acid (Myfortic)
• Nilotinib (Tasigna)
• Rituximab (Mabthera)
• Ruxolitinib (Jakavi)
• Tacrolimus (Advagraf, Prograf)
• Tamoxifen (Nolvadex-D)
• Thalidomide (Domide)
• Trastuzumab (Herceptin)

Musculoskeletal Drugs

Gout

• Allopurinol (Zyloric)
• Colchicine (Tolchicine, Goutnor)
• Febuxostat (Feburic)

Rheumatoid Arthritis

• Azathioprine (Imuran)
• Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil)
• Leflunomide (Arava)
• Sulfasalazine (Salazopyrin)

Others

• Benzhexol (Artane)
• Baclofen (Lioresal)
• Eperisone (Myonal)

Neurological Drugs

Antiepileptics

• Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
• Gabapentin (Neurontin)
• Lamotrigine (Lamictal)
• Levetiracetam (Keppra)
• Oxcarbazepine (Trileptal)
• Phenytoin (Dilantin)
• Pregabalin (Lyrica)
• Sodium Valproate (Epilim)
• Topiramate (Topamax)
• Zonisamide (Zonegran)

Alzheimer's Disease

• Donepezil (Aricept)
• Memantine (Ebixa)
• Rivastigmine (Exelon)

Benzodiazepines

• Alprazolam (Xanax)
• Clobazam (Frisium)
• Clonazepam (Rivotril)
• Diazepam (Valium)
• Lorazepam (Ativan)
• Midazolam (Dormicum)

Parkinson's Disease

• Carbidopa/Levodopa (Sinemet)
• Entacapone (Comtan)
• Levodopa/Benserazide (Madopar)
• Levodopa/Carbidopa/Entacapone (Stalevo)
• Pramipexole (Sifrol)
• Ropinirole (Requip)
• Rotigotine Patch (Neupro)
• Selegiline (Jumex)

Others

• Piracetam (Nootropil)
• Pizotifen (Sandomigran)
• Sumatriptan (Imigran)

Obstetric and Gynaecological Drugs

Emergency Contraception

• Levonorgestrel (Escapelle, Postinor-2)
• Ulipristal Acetate (Ella)

Others

• Conjugated oestrogen (Premarin)
• Cyproterone/Ethinyl Estradiol (Diane 35)
• Dydrogesterone (Duphaston)
• Estradiol Valerate (Progynova)
• Ethinyl Estradiol/Drospirenone (Yasmin, Yaz)
• Medroxyprogesterone (Provera)
• Norethisterone (Noriday, Norcolut)
• Tranexamic acid (Transamin)

Osteoporosis

Vitamin D

• Alfacalcidol (One-alpha)
• Calcitriol (Rocaltrol)

Bisphosphonates

• Alendronate (Fosamax)
• Alendronate/Cholecalciferol (Fosamax Plus)
• Ibandronic acid (Bonviva)
• Risedronate (Actonel)

Others

• Denosumab (Prolia)
• Raloxifene (Evista)
• Strontium (Protaxos)

Psychotropic Drugs

ADHD

• Atomoxetine (Strattera)
• Methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta)

Antipsychotics

• Amisulpride (Solian)
• Aripiprazole (Abilify)
• Asenapine (Saphris)
• Brexpiprazole (Rexulti)
• Clozapine (Clozaril)
• Haloperidol (Serenace)
• Olanzapine Disintegrating Tablet (Zyprexa Zydis)
• Olanzapine Tablet (Zyprexa)
• Quetiapine (Seroquel)
• Risperidone (Risperdal)
• Zuclopenthixol (Clopixol)

SNRIs

• Desvenlafaxine (Pristiq)
• Duloxetine (Cymbalta)
• Venlafaxine (Effexor)

SSRIs

• Escitalopram (Lexapro)
• Fluoxetine (Prozac)
• Fluvoxamine (Luvox)
• Sertraline (Zoloft)

Others

• Agomelatine (Valdoxan)
• Mirtazapine (Remeron)
• Vortioxetine (Brintellix)

Respiratory Drugs

Inhalers

• Beclomethasone/Formoterol (Foster)
• Beclomethasone/Formoterol/Glycopyrronium (Trimbow)
• Budesonide (Pulmicort)
• Budesonide/Formoterol (Symbicort)
• Ciclesonide (Alvesco)
• Fluticasone (Flixotide)
• Fluticasone/Formoterol (Flutiform)
• Fluticasone/Vilanterol (Relvar)
• Glycopyrronium (Seebri)
• Glycopyrronium/Indacaterol (Ultibro)
• Ipratropium/Fenoterol (Berodual-N)
• Indacaterol (Onbrez)
• Salbutamol (Ventolin)
• Salmeterol/Fluticasone (Seretide)
• Tiotropium (Spiriva)
• Tiotropium/Olodaterol (Spiolto)
• Umeclidinium/Vilanterol (Anoro)

Mucolytics

• Acetylcysteine (Fluimucil A)
• Ambroxol (Mucosolvan)
• Bromhexine (Bisolvon)

Others

• Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
• Montelukast (Singulair)
• Theophylline (Nuelin)

External Links

• SPS - Prescribing by generic or brand name in primary care
  
• SPS - Example medicines to prescribe by brand name in primary care