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Reading medicine names and labels

Generic name vs brand name: what's the difference?

Every medicine pack carries two kinds of name: the brand name a company chose and the generic name of the active ingredient. Knowing which is which makes packs, prescriptions and registry entries much easier to read.

Two names, two jobs

  • The generic name is the name of the active ingredient (or ingredients) in the medicine, for example Paracetamol. It is the same whichever company makes the product.
  • The brand name, also called the trade name, is the name a company gives to its own product, for example Napa or Ace. Different companies use different brand names.

In the DGDA registry snapshot used on this site, Napa is registered by Beximco Pharmaceuticals Ltd. and Ace by Square Pharmaceuticals PLC, and both are listed with the generic Paracetamol. Altogether, Paracetamol has 436 registered products in that snapshot.

See all registered Paracetamol products

How to spot each name on a pack

Pack designs vary, but these patterns are common:

  • The brand name is usually the largest word on the box, often with a logo.
  • The generic name is usually printed nearby in smaller type, sometimes after words like "contains" or followed by the strength, for example "Paracetamol 500 mg".
  • The company name appears separately, often with "manufactured by".

If you are not sure which word is the brand, search for it on this site. A medicine page always shows the brand name, the generic name and the manufacturer as separate fields.

Same generic is not the same as same product

Two products can share a generic name and still differ in ways that matter on the label. When you compare them, check each of these:

  • Strength: 500 mg is not the same as 665 mg.
  • Dosage form: a tablet, a syrup, a suspension and a suppository are different forms.
  • Release type: names with XR, SR or ER describe extended or sustained release products, which are different products from standard ones.
  • Combination: "Caffeine + Paracetamol" is a different generic from "Paracetamol" alone.
  • Manufacturer: each company's product is a separate registration with its own DAR number.

How to compare brands of the same generic

Why the generic name is useful

  • It helps you recognise that two differently named packs contain the same active ingredient, so you can mention both to your doctor or pharmacist.
  • It is a stable name to write in a family medicine list, alongside the brand and strength.
  • On this site, each generic page lists every registered product with that active ingredient.

Browse all generics in the registry

How to find the generic name of any medicine brand

Do not switch from one brand to another, or combine products, on your own. Ask a registered doctor or pharmacist first.

Frequently asked questions

What is a generic name?
The name of the active ingredient in a medicine, such as Paracetamol. It does not depend on which company makes the product.
What is a brand name?
The name a company gives its own product, also called the trade name. Napa and Ace are two brand names registered with the generic Paracetamol.
Are two brands with the same generic name interchangeable?
Not automatically. Strength, dosage form and release type can differ. Only a registered doctor or pharmacist can advise whether one can replace another for you.
Where can I see all brands of one generic?
Open the generic's page on this site. It lists every product with that generic in the DGDA registry snapshot.

This guide is general information only and is not medical advice. It does not tell you what any medicine is for or how to take it. For questions about your health or your medicines, ask a registered doctor or pharmacist.

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