Not their brand names, like Lasix, Viagra, and Valium. But rather their generic names, like furosemide, sidenafil citrate, and diazapam, which are (I think; I’m not positive) the generic names for Lasix, Viagra, and Valium, respectively.
I understand that it has something to do with the chemical makeup of the drug: the diaza- prefix means that there is some kind of ammonia compound in it, for example. But there are other affixes that seem to indicate uses rather than ingredients: a -cillin indicates an infection fighter (penicillin, ampicillin), while a -caine indicates an anesthetic (novocaine, lidocaine). And what about the -mides and the -pams? Where do they and other affixes come from and what do they mean?
Apologies for any spelling or other errors. This question comes from an experience I had working for a gereric pharmarmaceutical client some time ago, and these generic names were bandied about in the office all day. When I asked how these names came to be, all I got was “It’s their chemical names,” or “They tell what the drug is used for.”
But I’d like a little more detail. Can anybody provide it?
Well the penicillins are derived from the penicillium mold. Penicillium is latin for “brush”. The mold looked brush-like to the person who named it I guess.
As for the caines, it began as the quechua “kuka” describing the coca leaf. Got Spanicized to coca, and in french became cocaine. Caine became the default setting for a class of similar alkaloids, many of which produce anesthesia.
So there’s no rhyme or reason to apply to all generic drug names I guess. But there does seem to be an underlying principle which generated each class. You’ll need to hunt for it though. I recommend google, typing the generic name + etymology
My understanding is that when the purported inventor of a drug applies for a patent, he or she is given the opportunity to choose both a generic name and a brand name. So far as I know, the inventor has leeway in choosing these names, but often chooses a name that is somehow associated with its properties, origins, chemical makeup, or projected use.
Acetaminophen (Tylenol/Paracetamol) is named after its chemical structure - it has an acetylated amine (-NH=C=OCH3) on a phenol ring. Paracetamol came from the same source - the acetamine is located para to the phenol -OH group.
Diphenhydramine HCl ( a sleep aid) has two phenyl groupa, and and amine…the “hyd” part of the name probably refers to the ester somehow. The HCl is included in the name because it is the molecule being used to neutralise the molecule, as is the citrate in the generic name of Viagra.
I imagine many molecules must have started out their naming process based on their structures, followed by a bit of creativity on the parts of the marketing people. In some cases, the molecules contain very common structures, which have traditional names which are used in many contexts (such as citrate - an important biochemical metabolite), and so the generic name will always include it. The more complex the molecule, however, the more “freedom” in naming a company has.
Drugs are the only products where coining a generic is routinely done. The only non-drug product where this was done is nylon. At least, I don’t know of any others. But with drugs it’s virtually automatic.
Not a contraction, because “velour crochet” is not a term for the stuff. The mode of coinage is irrelevant, anyway. But Velcro is a trademark, not a generic. Only American Velcro can use the term to market it. Everyone else has to use a generic term.
If you think of any, let me know. Chances are you are thinking of current or former trademarks.