United States Adopted Name

United States Adopted Name (USAN)

The USAN Council is responsible for the selection of nonproprietary names for drugs.

The United States Adopted Name (USAN) is the unique nonproprietary name assigned to a pharmaceutical substance or active ingredient. The USAN is selected by the United States Adopted Names Council, which is a collaboration between the American Medical Association, the United States Pharmacopeial Convention, and the American Pharmacists Association.

Purpose and Importance

The primary purpose of the USAN is to provide a standard name for each drug that is recognized and used universally within the United States. This helps to avoid confusion and ensures that healthcare professionals and patients can communicate clearly about medications. The USAN is typically used in prescriptions, medical literature, and drug labeling.

Selection Process

The process of selecting a USAN involves several steps:

1. Application Submission: A pharmaceutical company submits an application for a new drug name. 2. Review and Evaluation: The USAN Council reviews the application, considering factors such as the drug's chemical structure, pharmacological properties, and potential for confusion with existing names. 3. Consultation with the World Health Organization (WHO): The USAN Council consults with the WHO to ensure international harmonization of drug names. 4. Approval and Publication: Once a name is approved, it is published and becomes the official nonproprietary name for the drug in the United States.

Criteria for Name Selection

The USAN Council follows specific criteria when selecting a name:

- Simplicity: The name should be easy to pronounce and remember. - Uniqueness: It should not be easily confused with existing drug names. - Descriptive: The name often reflects the drug's chemical structure or therapeutic use. - International Compatibility: The name should align with international naming conventions.

Examples of USANs

Some well-known examples of USANs include:

- Acetaminophen - Ibuprofen - Atorvastatin

Related Pages

• International Nonproprietary Name
• Pharmacology
• Drug nomenclature