Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Abstract
Objective: Indias pharmaceutical industry is now the third largest in the world in terms of volume. With this growth, various
drugs with catchy brand names have been introduced. The potential for error due to confusing drug names amongst the healthcare personnel is significant. Numerous case reports and studies have thrown light on the confusion over similar drug names.
Despite these efforts, new names that are similar to the existing names continue to be approved. Aim: The study was carried out
to isolate confusing brand names, which are used currently in the Indian market and to categorize these names depending on
their effect on therapeutic success. Material and methods: Recent issue of the drug formulary Indian Drug Review (IDR) (Vol.
XVII Issue No. 2, March-April 2011) was referred to and all the potentially confusing brand names were analyzed. Results: Many
of the brand names were similar looking (orthographic) and similar sounding (phonetic). Certain observations regarding brand
naming techniques and their possible implications were noted. Conclusion: The Indian pharmaceutical industry is growing at
a fast pace. Hence, India needs a competent Medication Error Reporting Program to report the brand name confusion. Also,
we need to create more awareness about confusing brand names and their implications.
508
Generic name
Manufacturer
Benzol
Danazol 100 mg
Solitaire
Benzole
Flamingo
Alparazole
Alprazolam 0.5 mg
Laborate
Adprazole
Omeprazole 20 mg
Admac
Amsat
Vensat
Amset
Amlodipine 5 mg
Pulse
Adcom
Telmisartan 40 mg
Intel Pharma
Adcon
Fluconazole 150 mg
Admac
Alflox
Norfloxacin 400 mg
Alkem
Alfox
Oxcarbazepine 300 mg
Medi Health
Bromolin
Cipla
Bromotin
Bromocriptine 2.5 mg
RPG LS
Dialox
Aglowmed
Diamox
Acetazolamide 250 mg
Wyeth
Dazolic
Ornidazole 500 mg
Sun
Dazolin
Sertraline 50 mg
Daksh
Depik
Imipramine 25 mg
Aarpik
Depin
Nifedipine 5 mg
Zydus Cadila
Felix
Cefpodoxime 100 mg
Positif
Feliz
Citalopram 10 mg
Torrent
Flex
Ofloxacin 400 mg
Siomond
Flexi
Ondansetron 4 mg
Adley
Flunat
Fluoxetine 10 mg
Sun
Flunaz
Fluconazole 150 mg
BMV
Glucar
Acarbose 50 mg
Glenmark
Glucart
Glucosamine 500 mg
Juggat
Hycin
Roxithromycin 150 mg
Saga Labs
Hymin
Albendazole 400 mg
Intra Labs
Lodol
Haloperidol 5 mg
Symbiosis
Lodoz
Merck
Lorvan
Lorazepam 1 mg
Cipla
Lorvas
Indapamide 2.5 mg
Torrent
Norten
Propranolol 10 mg
Baroda
Nortin
Nortriptyline 25 mg
La Pharma
Ocimix
Panacea
Ocimax
Omeprazole 20 mg
Pidek
Rispod
Cefpodoxime 100 mg
Symbiosis
Rispond
Risperidone 2 mg
Microsynapse
Topdep
Citalopram 10 mg
Orchid
Topdip
Amlodipine 10 mg
RPG LS
Zolep
Zolpidem 5 mg
Taj Pharma
Zolet
Letrozole 2.5 mg
United Biotech
Wypan
Pantoprazole 40 mg
YACCA
Wypar
YACCA
509
Generic name
Manufacturer
Aquamide
Furosemide 50 mg/Spironolactone 20 mg
Sun
Aquazide
Hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg
Sun
Disprin
Dospin
Aspirin 75 mg/Clopidogrel 75 mg
Ajanta
Epitab
Phenytoin 100 mg
East West
Epitan
Phenobarbitone 60 mg
Reliance
Glide
Glipizide 5 mg
Franco Indian
Gliden
Gliclazide 80 mg
BMW
Heal gel
Silver sulfadiazine/Chlorhexidine/Metronidazole
ORDAIN
Healin ointment
Povidone iodine/Metronidazole
Speciality Meditech
Moxycarb
AHPL
Moxycare
TRITAG
Ostofit
Glucosamine/Chondroitin
Torrent
Ostrobit
Cubit
Serip
Diclofenac 50 mg/Serratiopeptidase 10 mg
Bennet
Serit
Serratiopeptidase 5 mg
Sunrise
Wormnil
Mebendazole 100 mg
Wings Pharma
Wormonil
Albendazole 400 mg
PDC
Generic name
Manufacturer
Avcif
Cefixime 200 mg
Positif
Avcip
Ciprofloxacin 500 mg
Positif
Atmox
Amoxicillin 250 mg
A to Z
Atrox
Roxithromycin 150 mg
A to Z
Afcal
Alcure
Atcal
A to Z
Cefit
Cefixime 200 mg
Cubit
Cefiz
Cefpodoxime 200 mg
Medi Health
Ceftab
Cefuroxime 250 mg
Sienna
Ceftas
Cefixime 200 mg
Intas
Cufex syrup
Chlorpheniramine/codeine/menthol
Ind-Swift
Cuffix syrup
Terbutaline/Ambroxol/Guaiphenesin/Menthol
Amra
Oflomil
Ofloxacin 200 mg
Glenmark
Oflomix
Cefixime 200 mg
Orion
Recocef
Cefetamet 250 mg
Zydus Cadila
Recocif
Ciprofloxacin 250 mg
Zydus Cadila
Deplin
Sertraline 50 mg
Sykocure
Depnil
Clomipramine 25 mg
Cipla
Biolex
Cephalexin 500 mg
Cubit
Biolexi
Biochemix
510
zz
Aquamide-/Furosemide 50 mg/Spironolactone
20 mg/Sun
zz
zz
Epitan/Phenobarbitone 60 mg/Reliance
zz
Another
potential
problem
arises
when
manufacturers include certain letters in the
proprietary name that differentiates their company
from others and/or indicates a particular product
range (e.g., antibiotic group). For example:
zz
Positif/Avcip
zz
zz
zz
zz
It was noted that since the drugs forming the pair had
strikingly different indications, different doses and
schedule, there is less chance of drug name confusion.
But, in case the drug dose is not specified, it can create
confusion. And, although some drug names and
symbols may not necessarily sound-alike or look-alike,
they could cause confusion in prescribing errors when
handwritten or communicated verbally.
It was noted that drug pairs, which can have a major
effect on therapeutic success included drugs-acting
on central nervous system in most of the examples
(sertraline, imipramine, zolpidem, risperidone,
nortriptyline, haloperidol and lorazepam). This
category has highest risk of therapeutic failure, drug
511
Role of Prescribers
512
Role of Organizations
Role of Pharmacists
Role of Patients
Role of Manufacturers
8. Gremillion L, Hogan DJ. Dermatologic look- or soundalike medications. J Drugs Dermatol 2004;3(1):61-4.
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