The name game

What's another name for Tylenol? Acetaminophen.

Motrin? Ibuprofen. Advil is another brand/trade name.

My husband made fun of me the other day, saying I will always call a drug by it's generic name no matter what. The truth is, that's how I was trained, and after working in the hospital setting for 10 years, I can't help it. What's the difference? The generic (official) name just refers to the drug itself, while the trade (proprietary or brand) name refers to the patented product by the manufacturer. Sometimes they are also referred to by a short hand name consisting of just a few letters or a combination of letters and numbers (eg AZT, RU 486). Here is a more in depth explanation. The bottom line is that there may be more than one generic version (CVS brand, Rite Aid brand, Walgreen's brand, etc.) of a drug, but what matters is the active ingredient in the product (e.g. loratadine for allergies). So, whether you choose to buy store brand ibuprofen or Motrin or Advil, it is the same drug and works the same way. Just make sure that the dosage form (liquid, strip that melts, chewable tablet, capsule, etc.) is the one most appropriate for your child. Yes, generic medicines work the same way as brand name drugs. There is a subset of generic medicines that need careful monitoring of their effects, but these do not include the over-the-counter medicines we buy. Don't forget, generic products generally cost less than the brand name. Some pharmacies offer 90-day supplies of generic medicines (including albuterol nebulized solutions) for under $10. So if you're looking to save some money, go ahead and pick up the generic products. I do!