Where new drugs come from
Before a drug requires a name, it must be obtained. There are four main sources of new medicinal agents:
- Chemical synthesis — the creation of molecules under laboratory conditions.
- Plant raw materials — extraction of individual active substances from plants. These include various alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, and saponins.
- Animal raw materials — extraction of specific substances, such as hormones.
- Microbial metabolic products — the use of modern biotechnology methods. A classic example of this group is antibiotics.
Chemical (systematic) name
As soon as a new substance is synthesized or isolated and its structure is determined, it is assigned a chemical name (in English — chemical name).
The main principle here is unicity. In accordance with the strict rules of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC), a single substance can have only one systematic name.
However, for everyday medical practice, such names are completely unsuitable due to their length and complexity.
Examples of chemical names:
- 5-Ethyl-5-phenylbarbituric acid
- 4-Amino-N-(2,6-dimethoxy-4-pyrimidinyl)benzenesulfonamide (this is the chemical name of the well-known drug sulfadimethoxine).
Trivial names
Since chemical formulas are unsuitable for communication between physicians, pharmacists, and patients, trivial names (from the Latin trivialis — common, ordinary) were introduced.
A trivial name is a conventional, artificially created word. Unlike a systematic name, it most often does not convey information about the chemical structure or class of the substance (with the exception of International Nonproprietary Names, which use special stems).
| Chemical systematic name | Trivial name |
|---|---|
| $\beta$-dimethylaminoethyl benzhydryl ether hydrochloride | Dimedrolum (Diphenhydramine) |
| 2-benzylbenzimidazole hydrochloride | Dibazolum (Bendazole) |
Active ingredient and trade names
In modern nomenclature, it is fundamentally important to distinguish between two concepts:
- International nonproprietary name of the medicinal substance (also referred to as the active substance or active pharmaceutical ingredient).
- Trade name (Trade Name) — the commercial name of the finished medicinal product containing this active substance.
The realities of the pharmaceutical market are such that the same active substance is produced by different companies. Each firm gives the drug its own unique trade name. Moreover, names may vary depending on the country.
The historical problem of synonymy
Until the second half of the 20th century, the situation with drug names deteriorated rapidly. There was an uncontrolled surge in the number of synonyms: a single drug was marketed under hundreds of different names. Manufacturers in different countries called the exact same substance by different names.
This led to serious clinical consequences. It became increasingly difficult for physicians and pharmacy staff to identify which active substance was hidden behind a catchy commercial name.
A classic example of confusion using the active substance Nifedipinum:
- Germany: Adalat, Gypernal, Corinfar
- Italy: Anifed
- Hungary: Cordaflex
- Poland: Cordafen
- Slovenia: Cordipin, Cordipin-retard
- Other countries: Depin-E, Zenusin, Calcigarde, and many others.
Briefly: answers to topical questions
What functions do stems perform in International Nonproprietary Names?
Stems in International Nonproprietary Names indicate the pharmacological group of the drug and can convey classification information. Key characteristics:
- Pharmacological significance — they indicate the pharmacological group of the medicinal product.
- Classification function — they are an exception among trivial names, which generally do not carry classification information.
- Semantic meaning — for stems, it is necessary to memorize their spelling and semantic meaning.
What rules of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) exist for systematic names?
The rules of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) determine the procedure for constructing a systematic name for a substance based on its structural formula. Main rules:
- Selection of the parent chain — the longest carbon chain is chosen, and branches are considered hydrogen substituents called radicals (R).
- Numbering of carbon atoms — begins from the end closest to a substituent or multiple bond.
- Account of multiple bonds — a double or triple bond must be part of the parent chain.
To avoid confusing the terms, remember the association: Chemical is for chemists (long and precise). Trivial is for people (from the word "ordinary", short). Trade is for marketers (to make a sale).
Class and exam questions
Chemical names are too complex and cumbersome. For example, a doctor would have to write "4-amino-N-(2,6-dimethoxy-4-pyrimidinyl)benzenesulfonamide" instead of a simple and understandable trivial name.
This excludes the possibility of rapid and safe communication between the doctor, pharmacist, and patient.
What is an active substance?
This is the active substance itself, which exerts the therapeutic effect regardless of the commercial (trade) brand under which it is sold in the pharmacy.
Why does a drug have so many different trade names?
The trade name (Trade Name) is devised by a specific pharmaceutical company to distinguish its product in the market. Since the substance may be produced by dozens of plants in various countries, numerous commercial synonyms arise.
What else to study on this topic
- International Nonproprietary Names (INN) and their role in medicine
- Principles for forming the names of alkaloids, glycosides, and flavonoids
- Rules of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC)
- Informative stems in drug names
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Other topics in "Pharmaceutical Terminology. INN. Trade Names"
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