INN of a drug: examples, what is it?

What is the INN of a drug?

The International Nonproprietary Name (INN) of a drug is the name of the active substance(s) of which it is composed. It’s about a scientific name unique active ingredient created by the World Health Organization (WHO). It is distinguished from the brand name of the drug, always followed by the trademark symbol: ®. Most generic drugs are named by the INN.

What are the drugs that must be prescribed in INN?

Since January 1, 2015, any prescriber (doctor, dentist, midwife) has the duty to prescribe all INN drugs. The prescription must include for each drug: INN, dosage, route of administration and pharmaceutical form (tablet, syrup, suppository, etc.). Sometimes, the exclusive INN prescription does not guarantee appropriate and safe dispensing for the patient. In some cases, the brand name must be affixed to the prescription in addition to the INN when it exists:
► If the doctor deems it essential for patient understanding.
► For medicines containing more than 3 active substances.
► For specialties whose active ingredients cannot be designated by an INN: herbal medicines, homeopathic medicines.
► For medicinal products containing tablets with different strengths or compositions, such as some birth control pills.
► For biologics and biosimilars. Currently, only two of them are substitutable. Treatment should be continued with the same drug given at initiation.
► If the doctor wants the same commercial specialty is delivered throughout the treatment. In particular for antiepileptics, levothyroxine and oral anticoagulants, drugs for which substitution is not recommended because of a risk of imbalance of the disease. This is also the case for the pharmaceutical forms which require special training (asthma inhaler device), it is recommended to continue the treatment with the same presentation. Similarly, when a patient is allergic to an excipient, it is advisable to always take the same medicine to limit any risk of allergy.

Example of INN for Common Medicines

An INN can correspond to one or more brand names while a brand name always has the same INN.

• THE paracetamol corresponds to several brand names: Doliprane®, Dafalgan®, Efferalgan®, Claradol®
• ibuprofen : Advil®, Nurofen®, Ibupradoll®
• THE phloroglucinol : Spasfon®, Spasfon-Lyoc®
• THE loperamide : Imodium®, Imodium lingual®, Imodium liquicaps®, Diastrolib®
• THE tramadol : Topalgic®, Monocrixo®, Monoalgic®, Contramal®
• THE diclofenac : Voltaren Actigo 1%®, Voltaren Emulgel 1%®
• Isodium alginate/sodium bicarbonate : Gasviscon®, Gavisconell®
• Esomeprazole : Inexium®, Nexium control®
• There desloratadine : Aerius®
• THE salbutamol : Ventolin®, Airomir®
• THE zolpidem : Stilnox®
• Alprazolam : Xanax®
• Amoxicillin : Clamoxyl®

Where can I find the INN on the medicine box?

The INN of a drug is always visible on the front of its packaging, most often under its brand name. The text that corresponds to this denomination is written smaller than that of the brand name. Depending on the drugs and laboratories, the INN is also found on one or more sides of the boxvery frequently on the side face allowing the opening thereof.

What are the benefits of DCI?

The use of the DCI gives therapeutic family information of the drug, thus making it possible to identify its side effects and interactions with other substances. For exemple :

• THE suffix -statin refers to a family of cholesterol-lowering drugs (atorvastatin, pravastatin, rosuvastatin, etc.)
• THE suffix -triptan refers to treatments for migraine attacks (zolmitriptan, rizatriptan, frovatriptan, etc.)
• THE suffix -pril refers to ACE inhibitors prescribed in arterial hypertension (ramipril, perindopril, etc.)

Prescription in INN makes it possible to better identify active substances present in the different specialties in order to limit the risk of overdose. For example, if a patient takes Nurofen® 400 mg for self-medication and their doctor prescribes a box of Advil® 400 mg, the brand name changes but it is the same active substance: l ‘ibuprofen. Concomitant intake of the two drugs would lead to an overdose. In addition, some brand names are similar (Eprex® and Edex®; Atarax® and Agyrax®), prescribing in INNs thus limits the risk of confusion. The prescription is in fact more understandable by the patient, especially if the pharmacist dispenses him a generic drug. The delivery of drugs is therefore more secure for the patient. The INN system improves communication between healthcare professionals on a global scale, which facilitates research work in the medical field.

It is strongly recommended to take this type of prescription with you when traveling.

DCI and travel: what recommendations?

Before leaving on a trip, a patient taking a chronic treatment should ask your doctor to prescribe him a prescription with the INN of each drug, if this is not already the case. It is highly recommended to take this type of prescription with you when going abroad and to keep it carefully throughout the duration of the stay. This is not essential if the trip takes place in the DROM-COM. Indeed, any health professional can consult the patient’s treatments via the vital card since the patient remains in France. The DCI system constitutes a common international language for all health actors and patients. Whatever the country of destination, a prescription established in INN promotes the proper use of drugs by limiting the risk of error when renewing treatment by a doctor or dispensing by a pharmacist. In France, the majority of drug brand names are unknown in other countries. It is therefore a guarantee of safety for the patient.

Sources:
– Public drug database, ANSM
– Prescription in International Nonproprietary Name (INN), Ministry of Health, 02/23/22
– Guidance on INN, World Health Organization (WHO)
– The High Authority for Health (HAS)