USP Quality Review

No. 79, Issued April 2004

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In This Issue:

Use Caution — Avoid Confusion

This updated resource now includes reports submitted to both USP medication error reporting programs—MEDMARX® and the USP Medication Errors Reporting (MER) Program—from their inception through December 31, 2002. Similarity of drug names involves confusion between look-alike and/or sound-alike brand names, generic names, and brand to generic names. This confusion is compounded by illegible handwriting, lack of knowledge of drug names, newly available products, similar packaging or labeling, and incorrect selection of a similar name from a computerized product list.

Below is a list of similar drug names reported to MEDMARX and MER. It is important to remember that these names may not sound alike as you read them or look alike in print, but when handwritten or communicated verbally, these names have caused or could cause confusion.

Wall posters & Medication Safety Pocket References of this resource are available for purchase by calling Customer Service at 1-800-227-8772.

Click here to view Tips for Using USP's Similar Names List.

List of Similar Drug Name Pairs:

Introduction A–B C–D E–F G–I K–M N–P Q–T U–Z

The USP Quality Review is a publication of the USP Center for the Advancement of Patient Safety. Online reporting to the USP Medication Errors Reporting Program is available through the Internet at www.usp.org/patientSafety/mer/. Forms can also be printed at this Web site or requested by calling 1-800-23-ERROR (1-800-233-7767). The USP Medication Errors Reporting Program is presented in cooperation with the Institute for Safe Medication Practices.