# Why do more recent name brand drug names usually contain Xs or Zs? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 9, 2009, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-more-recent-name-brand-drug-names-usually-contain-xs-or-zs/502488 "2009-07-09T19:53:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/it_s_not_rocket_surgery/32/312_2.png) [@It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/It_s_Not_Rocket_Surgery)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2009, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-more-recent-name-brand-drug-names-usually-contain-xs-or-zs/502488/1 "2009-07-09T19:53:20Z")
What do you make of the ongoing trend to include an X, a Z, or both letters in the name of brand-name prescription drugs? Are they running out of (copyrightable) names? Is it just a convention? One huge disadvantage to this trend - it becomes harder to differentiate drug names, which might lead to confusion and mistakes. If this trend reaches its logical conclusion, will there be a sleeping pill called “Zzzzzz”? ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2009, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-more-recent-name-brand-drug-names-usually-contain-xs-or-zs/502488/2 "2009-07-09T19:58:23Z")
A while back research was done and they found out the letter Q was rare and so it was good to use in advertising so a lot of radio stations put Q in their call letters. My guess is the same applies to Z and X - they are not common letters in English so they standout. ---
**Author:** ![HorseloverFat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8e8cbc/32.png) [@HorseloverFat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HorseloverFat)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2009, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-more-recent-name-brand-drug-names-usually-contain-xs-or-zs/502488/3 "2009-07-09T20:08:12Z")
Why not? The art of branding is purely subjective. I doubt there’s any real logical reason, other than making sure its original. This is also why web 2.0 names are usually nonsense or missing a vowel; all the good names are taken. Its also easier to trademark a made up work. That said, we’re probably seeing some fad on using v, q, and x. No big deal. No one is really confusing Viagra with Xerox. Or Seroquel with Prozac. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2009, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-more-recent-name-brand-drug-names-usually-contain-xs-or-zs/502488/4 "2009-07-09T20:14:52Z")
The FDA now reviews trade names before approving a drug for sale in the US to make sure it isn’t too close to something that’s already out there. However, prior to this policy, which was instituted in the early eighties\* after an 8 year old kid died after receiving methadone instead of methylphenidate, pharmaceutical makers generally went for names beginning with A, B and C, as studies show that drugs that appear early in alphabetical lists are prescribed [far more often.](http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/extract/312/7042/1315) Thus, if you want a drug name approved nowadays, you pick something at the end of the alphabet, where the air is much clearer, so to speak. \*I think. ETA: There won’t be a sleep aid called Zzzz because FDA labeling rules prohibit drug makers from printing claims or promotional material on packaging for controlled substances, and the policy extends to naming. In the same vein, you couldn’t name a prescription drug “pain-away” or somesuch. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2009, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-more-recent-name-brand-drug-names-usually-contain-xs-or-zs/502488/5 "2009-07-09T20:22:58Z")
The marketing department at drug companies should really be more careful though. I was in the hospital with a life threatening condition a few months ago and the doctor prescribed a drug that sounds extremely similar to the one that I should have had but the doses for the two drugs are very different. Both the reviewing RN and the hospital pharmacist didn’t catch it. I collapsed and went into a brief coma for a few hours before anyone caught the mistake. I don’t know how much damage was done but, as long as the drug companies are just making shit up, they could at least make sure that their chosen name isn’t 95% similar to another drug. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2009, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-more-recent-name-brand-drug-names-usually-contain-xs-or-zs/502488/6 "2009-07-09T21:06:00Z")
> [@Shagnasty](#): > > The marketing department at drug companies should really be more careful though. I was in the hospital with a life threatening condition a few months ago and the doctor prescribed a drug that sounds extremely similar to the one that I should have had but the doses for the two drugs are very different. Both the reviewing RN and the hospital pharmacist didn’t catch it. I collapsed and went into a brief coma for a few hours before anyone caught the mistake. I don’t know how much damage was done but, as long as the drug companies are just making shit up, they could at least make sure that their chosen name isn’t 95% similar to another drug. The culpability here would depend greatly on whether the drug was still under patent and had a trade name or whether a generic name was being used. If it’s a generic you’re out of luck. There must be thousands of drugs that begin with, say, methyl. That’s never going to change unless we move to a wholly different method of naming conventions in basic chemistry. ---
**Author:** ![Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malleus_incus_stapes/32/3293_2.png) [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2009, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-more-recent-name-brand-drug-names-usually-contain-xs-or-zs/502488/7 "2009-07-09T21:14:48Z")
I remember an article about anti-depressants in which the author observed that all the medications involved sounded like Star Wars characters. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2009, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-more-recent-name-brand-drug-names-usually-contain-xs-or-zs/502488/8 "2009-07-09T21:18:59Z")
> [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](#): > > I remember an article about anti-depressants in which the author observed that all the medications involved sounded like Star Wars characters. I am not sure who would win in a light saber fight between Zoloft and Effexor but I am pretty sure that Prozac is a wimp and would go down in one blow. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2009, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-more-recent-name-brand-drug-names-usually-contain-xs-or-zs/502488/9 "2009-07-09T21:32:40Z")
Zs and Xs are perceived as more “scientific.” ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2009, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-more-recent-name-brand-drug-names-usually-contain-xs-or-zs/502488/10 "2009-07-09T22:07:08Z")
> [@susan](#): > > Zs and Xs are perceived as more “scientific.” Nah. They’re just zexier. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2009, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-more-recent-name-brand-drug-names-usually-contain-xs-or-zs/502488/11 "2009-07-09T22:10:57Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > ETA: There won’t be a sleep aid called Zzzz because FDA labeling rules prohibit drug makers from printing claims or promotional material on packaging for controlled substances, and the policy extends to naming. In the same vein, you couldn’t name a prescription drug “pain-away” or somesuch. That’s why they never marketed Mycoxaflopin. ---
**Author:** ![otorophile](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/3ab097/32.png) [@otorophile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/otorophile)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2009, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-more-recent-name-brand-drug-names-usually-contain-xs-or-zs/502488/12 "2009-07-09T23:47:16Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > ETA: There won’t be a sleep aid called Zzzz because FDA labeling rules prohibit drug makers from printing claims or promotional material on packaging for controlled substances, and the policy extends to naming. In the same vein, you couldn’t name a prescription drug “pain-away” or somesuch. They’re fairly strict about this. Boniva, an osteoporosis drug, was going to be called Bonviva, but this was ruled as being a promotional name. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2009, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-more-recent-name-brand-drug-names-usually-contain-xs-or-zs/502488/13 "2009-07-10T00:50:02Z")
> [@otorophile](#): > > They’re fairly strict about this. Boniva, an osteoporosis drug, was going to be called Bonviva, but this was ruled as being a promotional name. I don’t believe this, especially since there is a real osteoporosis drug named [Bonviva](http://www.mybonviva.com/default_EN.htm). ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2009, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-more-recent-name-brand-drug-names-usually-contain-xs-or-zs/502488/14 "2009-07-10T01:03:11Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > I don’t believe this, especially since there is a real osteoporosis drug named [Bonviva](http://www.mybonviva.com/default_EN.htm). Note the contact information at the bottom: Trinidad & Tobago, Curacao, the Bahamas, Aruba and Barbados. I think you’ll find those places are a bit outside the FDA’s jurisdiction. [Here’](http://www.rocheusa.com/products/boniva/)s the US page for the same stuff. Or see [here](http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/33842.php): > [@](#): > > The regulatory submissions for Bonviva I.V.injection include the first year results of the DIVA study, released in July 2004. The NDA for **Boniva** I.V. injection was submitted to the FDA in the US in December 2004. The MAA for **Bonviva** I.V. injection was submitted to the EMEA in Europe in April 2005. Bonviva I.V. injection is administered as a 15-30 second injection, making it simple and convenient for administration. ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2009, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-more-recent-name-brand-drug-names-usually-contain-xs-or-zs/502488/15 "2009-07-10T01:16:37Z")
> [@susan](#): > > Zs and Xs are perceived as more “scientific.” Zeriously, I was going to say that. The market for most prescription drugs is the older people. I would say ‘elderly’ but I think that’s un-PC now. If you watch the evening news, almost all the ads are for drugs. Scare the old people and show them the miracle of medicine. It’s all very Zyantific. ---
**Author:** ![ParentalAdvisory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/53a042/32.png) [@ParentalAdvisory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParentalAdvisory)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2009, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-more-recent-name-brand-drug-names-usually-contain-xs-or-zs/502488/16 "2009-07-10T01:32:34Z")
The letters sound exotic, and is not limited to pharma-drugs. Camaro Z-28 Acura rsX LeXus And I’m sure many other products contain these letters too as an exotic way to advertise something. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2009, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-more-recent-name-brand-drug-names-usually-contain-xs-or-zs/502488/17 "2009-07-10T01:34:28Z")
Let’s not forget _XXX: State of the Union_- guaranteed to put any patient to sleep. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2009, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-more-recent-name-brand-drug-names-usually-contain-xs-or-zs/502488/18 "2009-07-10T02:29:16Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Note the contact information at the bottom: Trinidad & Tobago, Curacao, the Bahamas, Aruba and Barbados. I think you’ll find those places are a bit outside the FDA’s jurisdiction. Quite so. However, none of your links give any confirmation of the FDA’s denying the use of Bonviva so that Boniva needed to be coined as a substitute. Just the opposite. They say specifically that Bonviva was submitted to the FDA. And it was [approved](http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-23346947_ITM). > [@](#): > > COPYRIGHT 2003 Marketletter Publications Ltd. > > The US Food and Drug Administration has approved Roche’s Bonviva (ibandronate) 2.5mg tablets for the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women, but the product is unlikely to be launched, according to analysts at Swiss broker Sarasin. Why? Not because of the name. I found the rest of the article and it says: > [@](#): > > “This Bonviva formulation will hardly be competitive as current osteoporosis treatment options, such as Merck & Co’s Fosamax (alendronate), are administered once-weekly, which is more convenient for patients,” said Sarasin’s Denise Gugerli-Etter. However, she pointed out that the FDA approval will likely shorten the review time for later filings in the USA. Cite? may not be acceptable in some of the other forums. But it’s essential to GQ. ---
**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2009, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-more-recent-name-brand-drug-names-usually-contain-xs-or-zs/502488/19 "2009-07-10T02:33:57Z")
> [@ghardester](#): > > Zeriously, I was going to say that. The market for most prescription drugs is the older people. I would say ‘elderly’ but I think that’s un-PC now. If you watch the evening news, almost all the ads are for drugs. Scare the old people and show them the miracle of medicine. > > It’s all very Zyantific. Drug commercials fall under two different categories. The first is for people who can’t go to the bathroom. The second is for people who can’t stop going to the bathroom. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2009, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-more-recent-name-brand-drug-names-usually-contain-xs-or-zs/502488/20 "2009-07-10T02:43:30Z")
Look at the bolded spellings in the last thing I quoted. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-more-recent-name-brand-drug-names-usually-contain-xs-or-zs/502488.md?page=2)