Accurate, balanced evidence-based information about medicines
Medicine Name Finder Find the active ingredient in your medicine
By using the NPS Medicine Name Finder you can learn to identify your prescription medicines by the active ingredient name and brand name. The active ingredient is the chemical in the medicine that makes it work.
To use this tool:
- type in the brand name to find out the active ingredient name in
your medicine, or - type in the active ingredient name to find the names of different medicine brands available.
Why use the NPS Medicine Name Finder?
Most medicines have two names: the active ingredient name and the brand name.
It’s important to be able to identify each of your medicines by the active ingredient as well the brand name.
Knowing the active ingredient name will help you avoid confusing your medicines and perhaps taking too much or not enough. Also, it is particularly important if you are given a different brand of prescription medicine than usual when your prescription is dispensed.
Your medicine label explained
The active ingredient name and the brand name are shown on the medicine’s packaging, and if it’s a prescription medicine, it’s also on the label applied by the pharmacist — known as the dispensing label.
Important things to know about your medicines
- The consumer medicine information (CMI) leaflet tells you more about your medicines, including dosage and side effects. Download a CMI for your medicine from the NPS website or ask your pharmacist for a copy.
- A medicines list will help you keep track of what you take. Fill it in and take it with you when you visit your doctor or pharmacist.
- Read more about what an active ingredient is.
Tell us what you think
Provide feedbackWas this tool helpful? Send us your feedback on this search tool.
This search tool provides only the active ingredient names and brand names of prescription medicines listed on the Schedule of Pharmaceutical Benefits and is updated by the PBS monthly. This tool is not intended to provide detailed information about medicine strengths or prices.
For specific advice about your medicines speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
This tool is available as a Google Gadget. If you have an iGoogle account, you can add the gadget to your iGoogle page by clicking this button.
