USP Dictionary

Overview

The USP Dictionary of USAN and International Drug Names is the leading reference for drug names and chemical structures. It also provides other important drug information.

Formats and Subscriptions

Publishing April 1, 2009, the new USP Dictionary is available in two formats, print and online. The print format consists of a single print edition. The online format is available as a rolling subscription that is valid 12 months from the date of activation.

Contents

The USP Dictionary lists drug

• Generic or U.S. Adopted Names
• Brand names
• Chemical names
• International Nonproprietary Names (INNs)
• British Approved Names (BANs)
• Japanese Accepted Names (JANs)
• Official USP–NF names
• FDA-established names

The dictionary also provides

• Drug manufacturers' names
• Graphical chemical structures
• Molecular weights and formulas
• Pharmacologic and/or therapeutic categories
• CAS registry numbers
• Code designations
• The VA classification system for medications
• USAN submission forms
• A drug name pronunciation guide

What's New in the 2009 Edition

More than 4,500 Updates!

• 2,358 new and revised entries
• 131 new United States Adopted Names (USAN)
• 99 new graphic formulas
• 114 new and 327 updated pronunciations
• 130 new International Nonproprietary Names (INNs)

Plus–1,431 new and 67 updated UNII codes for registered drug ingredients! Generated by the FDA/USP Substance Registration System, UNII codes are nonproprietary and permanent codes used in labeling and documentation to help track and share information on a given substance.

Who Needs the USP Dictionary

In the pharmaceutical and related industries, the USP Dictionary is an essential resource for all those who work in the following departments:

• Regulatory/compendial affairs
• Quality assurance
• Research and development
• Quality control
• Patent and trademark law
• Technical documentation
• Drug information and safety

The USP Dictionary is an important resource for libraries and for schools of medicine and pharmacy.

Pharmacists, nurses, and other healthcare professionals who need to know how to pronounce drug names correctly also will find the USP Dictionary an invaluable resource.

How the USP Dictionary Helps

The USP Dictionary helps to

• Ensure official compliance in product labeling in order to obtain new drug approval and to avoid "misbranded" products
• Determine established generic drug names to use in advertising and brochures as required by U.S. federal law
• Preserve trademark rights to drug brand names by using proper generic names
• File accurate and acceptable INDs, NDAs, and ANDAs
• Avoid errors in reports, correspondence, articles, and package inserts
• Verify names and spellings of materials used in laboratory research
• Group drug products into families
• Determine exact chemical structures and compositions
• Avoid serious verbal medication errors