A drug’s chemical, generic, trade, and official names are
determined at different phases of the drug development process and serve
different functions. For example, the various names of the commonly prescribed
anticonvulsant divalproex sodium are:
• Chemical name: Pentanoic acid,
2-propyl-, sodium salt (2:1) or
(C16H31O4Na)
• Generic name: divalproex sodium
• Trade name:Depakote
• Official name:Divalproex Sodium
Delayed-Release Tablets, USP
A drug’s chemical name describes its atomic and molecular Structure.The chemical name of divalproex
sodium pentanoic acid, 2-propyl-, sodium salt
(2:1), or C16H31O4Na (pronounced valproate semisodium)—indicates
that the drug is a combination of two valproic acid compounds with a sodium
molecule attached to only one side.
Once a drug successfully completes several clinical trials,
it receives a generic name, also known as the nonproprietary name.The generic
name is usually derived from but shorter than the chemical
name.The United States Adopted Names Council is responsible
for selecting generic names, which are intended for unrestricted public use.
Before submitting the drug for FDA approval, the
manufacturer creates and registers a trade name (or brand name) when the drug
appears ready to be marketed.
Trade names are copyrighted and
followed by the symbol ® to indicate that they’re registered and that their use is
restricted to the drug manufacturer.
Once the original patent on a drug has expired, any
manufacturer may produce the drug under
its own trade name.
A drug’s official name is the name under which it’s listed
in the United States Pharmacopoeia (USP) and the National Formulary (NF).