Generic vs Trade name daily verbage

[FutureDNP2021, ASN, RN]

NCLEX rules changed a couple of years back so that newer nurses learn generic pharmacology names. In the hospitals though, many docs write for trade name drugs and this causes new nurses some confusion when passing meds, educating patients, communicating with the pharmacist, coworkers, etc.

Do you think that we should be asking new nurses to additionally learn trade drug names to appease the old way, or should the facilities trend more towards using generic names to keep up with the new generic trend?

Also note, I have no knowledge of how pharmaceutical trade drug marketing works with the healthcare professional. I am assuming we use generic drug names now-a-days to avoid advertising specific trade names over the other, as well as to avoid multiple drug name confusion.

[blondy2061h, MSN, RN]

NCLEX is given in the United States and Canada. Trade names may be different there (Novolog/Novorapid), but generic names are the same (insulin aspart). Also, it's incorrect to continue referring to a drug by a trade name when a generic is being given- ie, no one gives Lasix any more. I can't recall ever seeing brand name Lasix. We give furesomide. It's more precise. Think of drugs that have been generic for a long time? What is the brand name for penecillin? The NCLEX is very concerned with using consistent verbiage. Using generic names is the way to do that.

In practice, in almost all settings, electronic order entry and charting should be being used that can account for trade and generic names. If a nurse is confused at the corresponding trade name for a generic there are plentiful print and digital references available to consult. Consistently using generic names cuts down on look alike/sound alike confusion.

[Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN]

In school I had to learn both. Blondy made a very good point about the universality of the generic name. However I see the benefit of knowing both...like you said the provider may write "Lasix," and the pharmacist will likely dispense "furosemide." Knowing both eliminates any confusion

[AceOfHearts<3]

I'll use both names with the patient, especially for certain ones. I sometimes have scenarios like below:

"Mrs. Smith here is your atorvastatin for your cholesterol"

confused look- "my what"

"you're atorvastatin, also known as Liptor, for your cholesterol"

look of recognition, "ooooh, ok"

[caliotter3]

On home health MARs which are still done by hand, I've been instructed to use both the generic and trade name by putting the most common trade name in parentheses following the generic name. Not much confusion when it is done that way. Frankly, I don't remember being taught one way or the other in nursing school, but I do remember being warned just before we were to graduate and take NCLEX, that we better get familiar with both, because there was no guarantee about how they would be listed on the NCLEX. That was more than two decades ago. I think the industry and NCLEX should stick with generic. My memory banks are getting faulty in my old age.