Remember that four different types of names are used to describe medicines:

Chemical names: These are usually complicated and difficult to use in identifying medicines.

International nonproprietary name: An International Nonproprietary Name (INN) identifies a pharmaceutical substance or active pharmaceutical ingredient by a unique name that is globally recognized and is public property. A nonproprietary name is also known as a generic name.

Brand name: These are also known as the branded, proprietary, commercial, or trade name. Manufacturers develop these names for marketing purposes.

National nonproprietary name: Similar to INNs but can vary from country to country. These are used predominately in the U.S.