Most medicines have standardized generic names that are the same around the world. But some drugs have different brand names in different countries. When you travel, it is important to make sure you receive exactly the medications you expect.
With names like Fallback Solo, Kapspargo Sprinkle, and Lupron Depot, trying to navigate the world of drug names can be interesting. But making sure you get the precise medications you need as you travel the world can be serious business.
In this article, we will look at the names of medications and their uses. You will also learn tips for traveling with your medications.
There is an internationally recognized process for naming medicines. The World Health Organization (WHO) designates an official
However, different drug manufacturers may use the same active ingredient to create and market their own version of a drug under a unique name. brand. And different countries have different drug manufacturers.
So even if you know the different brands of a medicine in your own country, they may be completely different elsewhere. For example:
- The generic statin medicine atorvastatin It is known as the brand name drug Lipitor in the United States and as Atocor in India.
- The generic drug diphenhydramine is known in the United States and Canada as the brand name drug. Benadryl. In the UK it is available under the brands Nytol Original and Boots Sleepeaze. And both the US and UK have versions of the drug called Sominex.
To add to the confusion, some medications contain a combination of active ingredients in a single medication. For example:
- Anexsia is the branded version of a combination medication that contains acetaminophen and hydrocodone.
- THE antibiotic medicine Bactrim contains sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim. This combination of active ingredients is also available under other brands, such as Septra.
It is also possible that medicines with the same name contain different active ingredients. For example:
- In the United States, the antihistamine The drug Claritin contains the active ingredient loratadine. But in Korea, Claritin is a diabetes medication that contains the active drug gliclazide.
- In the United States, the mood disorder medication Luvox contains the active ingredient fluvoxamine. In Bangladesh, Luvox contains ascorbic acid, tocopherol, copper, zinc and xantofyl and is used to treat eye diseases. And in Germany, Luvox is an herbal medicine containing calcium oxide, aluminum oxide, iron, potassium and silicon dioxide.
Additionally, there are rare cases in which the active ingredient in a drug has a different name depending on where the drug is produced. For example:
- The generic drug acetaminophen is known as Tylenol in the United States. But in many other countries, such as the UK, India and Australia, the same active ingredient is called paracetamol and is known by brand names such as Panadol.
Why do some medications have generics and others don't?
Years of research and testing are necessary to ensure that brand-name medications are safe and effective. The manufacturer of a brand-name drug can sell the drug exclusively for up to 20 years. (In the case of biological products, which are medicines made from living cells, the manufacturer has exclusive rights until
12 years .)After that, other drugmakers can create generic or biosimilar versions. (Basically, biosimilars are to biological drugs what generics are to brand-name drugs.)
Because generics contain the same active ingredients as the brand-name drugs, they do not need to be studied again. This, along with competition in the market due to multiple manufacturers selling the same drug, explains why generic drugs tend to cost less.
Despite the issues mentioned above, you should generally be able to obtain a prescription in other countries based on the common generic name of the drug. However, taking preventative measures like these before you leave can help reduce the stress of obtaining medications abroad:
- Always carry an extra supply of over-the-counter (OTC) medications you may need in case your plans change unexpectedly.
- If you run out of certain prescription medications while you are away, your insurance may allow an early refill. This will allow you to take enough medications with you on your trip. Talk to your pharmacist or insurer to find out more.
- Fill out a
medication list Before leaving. This will allow you and anyone traveling with you to easily access all your medication information in the event of an emergency. - Bring it
labels and other documents that accompany critical or rare medications you are taking. - Carry all medications with their original labels in carry-on baggage so that they are not exposed to extreme temperatures and are not lost in the event of an accident with your luggage. And make sure the name on the labels matches the name on your ID and boarding pass.
- It may be preferable for some medications, such as Mounjaro, to remain refrigerated during travel. To learn more about how to travel with Mounjaro, see This item.
- Once you arrive at your destination, store all medications in a climate-controlled area. They should never be left in direct sunlight or in the trunk or glove box of a vehicle.
If you need to obtain medicines abroad, it is important to do the following:
- For over-the-counter medications: Read the label carefully. Check the active ingredients and concentration of the medication to make sure they are the same as the medication you usually take. You want to be sure that you are taking the right dose of medication for you. This is especially important if the medicine or packaging looks different in any way.
- For prescription medications: In some cases, you may need to see a doctor in that country to get a prescription. Regardless, always confirm with the pharmacist who fills the prescription that the medication you are receiving is the same as the one you usually take. The strength and dosage of the drug, as well as all its active ingredients, must be the same.
Boundaries
Some medications that are legal in the United States are not legal in other countries. For example, ADHD medication Adderall (amphetamine/dextroamphetamine) is commonly prescribed in the United States, but it is illegal to bring into Japan.
Additionally, some countries may impose a limit on the amount of medication you can bring into the country. For example, in the United Kingdomyou can only bring a maximum 3 month supply of your medications.
Be sure to check any medication restrictions or requirements in the countries you are visiting as well as whether a medication is currently in shortage or has testing requirements there.
The brand name of a medicine often varies by manufacturer and country. But the generic name of a drug (which is also its active ingredient) is universally standardized in most cases. When you travel, you should be able to get a medication prescribed for you if you know the active ingredient of the medication.
It's a good idea to travel with a list of medications you're taking and carry those medications in their original containers. Carefully read the labels of all medicines you buy over the counter or get with a prescription. Check the active ingredient(s), concentration and dosage to ensure they match your medical condition and your original prescription.
And if you are unsure whether the medication you are receiving is different from the one you usually take, always ask the pharmacist who fills your prescription.
