topic Re: Crazy Names For Prescrption Drugs in Community Chat

Crazy Names For Prescrption Drugs

Sapphiregal — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 02:19:08 GMT

I often wonder who gets the job of coming up with all the very unusual names given to prescription drugs. And so many commercials advertising them! Just saw one called Rezdiffra and another Fanapt.

Re: Crazy Names For Prescrption Drugs

on the bay — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 02:25:06 GMT

@Sapphiregal,

I've often wondered that too and also why do they make them so hard to pronounce, spell and remember?!

Re: Crazy Names For Prescrption Drugs

ROMARY — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 02:27:22 GMT

Yes, very 'strange'.

I'm just happy that the TV ads specify all of the major side effects of each prescription drug.

Can you imagine if they didn't?

I'm only guessing that some or many patients don't take the time to read the side-effect information sheet that is given to them when they pick up their prescriptions.

I guess they also send those instructions and side effects information along with their mailed prescriptions.

We have known several people who, at the time, didn't feel well. They felt very 'weak', etc., etc.

After our suggestion to check out their side-effect info sheet, they did get much relief because they alerted their doctors and their medication dose arrangements were made/ changed/ etc.

Re: Crazy Names For Prescrption Drugs

Jaynah — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 02:43:03 GMT

@Sapphiregal ~ thanks for the topic! The Rx names are crazy, when I come home

I look up the phoentic pronunciation, to be prepared, so when I talk to my doctor, I don't have to say "my Rx that starts with an m", I can actually pronounce it. 😄 👍

Re: Crazy Names For Prescrption Drugs

SharkE — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 02:45:58 GMT

My late husband was a pharmacist. He always laughed when I would try to pronounce a particular drug.

I used to pronounce Lisinipril as 'Listerine'. LOL

He'd say "what are U trying to say"?

Some drugs can be 20 letters. Guess there is a reason.

Re: Crazy Names For Prescrption Drugs

Marp — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 03:12:00 GMT

From my point of view many of the potential side effects for which they urge contacting your doctor are symptoms I have on a daily basis without taking the medication.

Re: Crazy Names For Prescrption Drugs

just bee — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 03:15:25 GMT

Here are just a few...

Skyrizi

Wegovy

Linzess

Otezla

Vraylar

Gozellix

Conexxence

Blujepa

Qfitlia

Penmenvy

Ctexli

Stoboclo

Arbli

Osenvelt

Re: Crazy Names For Prescrption Drugs

NYCLatinaMe — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 04:08:30 GMT

I understand that great care is actually taken in naming medicines because the creators want to sell them world wide and want to make sure that the name chosen doesn't infringe in anyone else's proprietary name, and they also want to make sure the name chosen doesn't have a meaning in any language.

So not easy.

Re: Crazy Names For Prescrption Drugs

gizmogal — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 04:08:43 GMT

Naming drugs here in the USA is strictly controlled. This is an abstract of a much more detailed article published in August 2019 in the AMA Journal of Ethics. The article was titled "How Do Drugs Get Named", written by Gail B Karet, PhD.

Abstract

Since the 1960s, the United States Adopted Names Program has been assigning generic (nonproprietary) names to all active drug ingredients sold in the United States. Pharmaceutical names are assigned according to a scheme in which specific syllables in the drug name (called stems) convey information about the chemical structure, action, or indication of the drug. The name also includes a prefix that is distinct from other drug names and that is euphonious, memorable, and acceptable to the sponsoring pharmaceutical firm. Drug names are the product of complex, multiparty negotiations in which the needs and desires of various stakeholders (patients, pharmaceutical firms, physicians, pharmacists, other health care professionals, and US and international regulators) must be balanced.

Further research yielded this:

Drugs have three types of names: a chemical name, a generic name, and a brand name. The chemical name is based on the drug's chemical structure. The generic name, also known as the non-proprietary name, is assigned by organizations like the USAN Council and the World Health Organization. The brand name is chosen by the pharmaceutical company and must be approved by the above organizations and regulatory bodies like the FDA.

Well, now we know how these names are formulated. Doesn’t make it any easier to pronounce. You leave a doctor's office you could bring a translator to the pharmacy to fill the prescription!

Re: Crazy Names For Prescrption Drugs

Shanus — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 10:38:20 GMT

@Sapphiregal I bet it's some of the chemicals used in the drugs. I have my meds in the cabinet, but on the lid I write the generic name I know and recognize.

Re: Crazy Names For Prescrption Drugs

We rescue cats — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 12:16:23 GMT

The one I have trouble with is my RA med, Xeljanz. Pronounced with the X as a Z=ZelJanz.

Re: Crazy Names For Prescrption Drugs

Patriot3 — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 12:55:42 GMT

I don't care what they call the drugs, I just wish all the TV ads would stop.

They show all the happy people who have taken them and then start w/the side effects that take longer than the good sides.

Re: Crazy Names For Prescrption Drugs

beckyb1012 — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 13:04:48 GMT

I take daily the generic of Singulair for my allergies. My Dr. always laughs when I tell her I need more Moose Goose since I cannot pronounce Montelukast.

Re: Crazy Names For Prescrption Drugs

Franell — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 13:07:48 GMT

Drug commercials are on TV constantly. Do people really go to their Doctors and request the drugs they see advertised? You would think that the list of side effects they are required to state at the end would be a turn off.

Re: Crazy Names For Prescrption Drugs

Marp — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 14:27:33 GMT

@Franell wrote:
Drug commercials are on TV constantly. Do people really go to their Doctors and request the drugs they see advertised? You would think that the list of side effects they are required to state at the end would be a turn off.

I so agree about the turn off. Some of the side effects are worse than what the medication is supposed to treat.

Re: Crazy Names For Prescrption Drugs

beckyb1012 — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 14:38:44 GMT

@Marp wrote:
@Franell wrote:
Drug commercials are on TV constantly. Do people really go to their Doctors and request the drugs they see advertised? You would think that the list of side effects they are required to state at the end would be a turn off.
I so agree about the turn off. Some of the side effects are worse than what the medication is supposed to treat.

Plus I noticed last week listening to one they spent more air time listing all the side effects than talking about how great the drug was and could help you.

Re: Crazy Names For Prescrption Drugs

Cakers3 — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 14:40:12 GMT

@Patriot3 wrote:
I don't care what they call the drugs, I just wish all the TV ads would stop.

They show all the happy people who have taken them and then start w/the side effects that take longer than the good sides.

@Patriot3 I agree. All the singing and dancing 🙄.

Re: Crazy Names For Prescrption Drugs

Sooner — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 14:45:38 GMT

You go to a doctor with anything now and you get a pill or an operation of some kind it seems. Medicine seems to think anything is fixable.

Re: Crazy Names For Prescrption Drugs

Still Raining — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 15:06:01 GMT

I just have to laugh when a doctor asks if I am still take some odd name. Like I can keep track 🤪

Re: Crazy Names For Prescrption Drugs

bikerbabe — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 15:13:06 GMT

I sometimes feel the need to buy a vowel when I see the proliferation of brand names with x z q etc

If you have a medical background, you can often figure out the drug classification based on the suffix or prefix but that only works for the chemical name not the trade/brand name. I’m pretty bad at remembering brand names.