If possible, use INN names, which are in lower case. Use initial capitals for proprietary (trade) names:
INN: diazepam, proprietary: Valium
INN: paracetamol, proprietary: Panadol
However, whether to use the INN or the proprietary name depends partly on the audience for the publication. If the audience is likely to be more familiar with the proprietary name, use this first and give the INN in brackets:
Nurofen (ibuprofen) was more effective in relieving pain than Panadol (paracetamol).
Some medicines are also known by abbreviations – for example, AZT (for which the INN is zidovudine). Because these abbreviations are often not standardised, their use can lead to errors, including errors in prescribing of medicines (which may be life-threatening). Abbreviations should therefore not be used for medicine names:
zidovudine not AZT
fluorouracil not 5-FU
Abbreviations may be used to refer to different modified-release forms of medicines, dose forms or routes of administration:
tramadol SR = tramadol slow release
MDI = metered dose inhaler
IM = intramuscular
Did you know? Tall Man lettering is a typographic technique that is used to make medicine names that look and sound alike more easily distinguishable. It uses a combination of capital letters and lower-case letters – for example, azATHIOPRINE and aziTHROMYCIN. The capital letters disrupt the reading of the medicine name and draw attention to syllables that differ between medicines. The World Health Organization, among other organisations, recommends use of Tall Man lettering as a way to reduce the risk of medication errors associated with ‘look alike, sound alike’ medicine names.
