GENERIC VERSUS TRADE NAMES
The problem of multiple names can cause severe problems when similar drugs are taken at the same time, particularly if they have been prescribed in different dosages. For instance, a commonly used tranquilizer is called diazepam by its generic name, but it is also sold as Valium®, Atensine®, Eri-dan®, Noan®, Tensium®, Vatran®, Meval®, Apaurin®, Lem-brol®, and many others. Even more confusing, there are many derivatives of diazepam with different generic names and trade names, but they all do the same thing. For instance, the generic tranquilizer oxazepam is sold under the names Serax®, Adumbran®, Limbial®, and Seresta®, among others, but it is similar to diazepam.
Whenever your physician prescribes a medication, always ask its generic name and the family of drugs to which it belongs. For instance, if you are given a medication in the family of steroids, you should be made aware that this is a drug that mimics the action of cortisone. There are many members of the steroid class of drugs and, if you are receiving one, it is of utmost importance that you know because special precautions must be taken (see the section on the adrenal glands in chapter 18).
At the pharmacy, make sure that the generic term is written on the label in addition to the trade name. Also, ask your pharmacist if you are receiving any other medication in the same family, to ensure that two similar drugs have not been inadvertently prescribed. For this reason it is very important always to use the same pharmacist. Since it would be impossible for me to discuss every medication used to treat the many illnesses that can affect you, the following compendium will note the most common types and families of drugs and their generic names. No mention will be made of trade names, as they vary so widely.
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