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Umbrella brand names: buyer bewareUmbrella brand names: buyer beware
Have you noticed that some of the medicines you buy from pharmacies and supermarkets have very similar brand names? Or, that sometimes there are several medicine products with the same ‘umbrella’ brand name?
It’s important to be aware of this, because medicines with the same umbrella brand name and similar packaging may contain different active ingredients. Or, they may contain different strengths of the same active ingredient.
Examples
Canesten is one example of an umbrella brand name. In the Canesten products listed in the box below, the active ingredient is clotrimazole in the first three and bifonazole in the fourth. In each case, the second half of the name distinguishes it from the other medicine products with the brand name of Canesten.
Codral is another example. The box below lists several medicines with the brand name of Codral. Each has slightly different active ingredients or different strengths of an active ingredient or both.
Avoid problems
Unfortunately, when products have the same umbrella brand name it is easy to accidently buy a medicine with a different active ingredient or strength from what you intended. This could result in you using a medicine that’s not right for you, using the wrong strength of the medicine, or using two medicines with the same active ingredient.
To make sure you buy the medicine you want:
- buy it from a pharmacy where you can get advice from a pharmacist
- read the whole product name: don’t just rely on the brand name or look of the packaging
- read the packaging label to identify the active ingredient(s) and the amount of each
- ask the pharmacist for advice if you have any doubts about which medicine to buy or if there are several medicines with the same or similar brand names
- keep a list of all your medicines, including their full brand and product names and the active ingredients and their strengths. Take this with you when you visit the doctor, travel or go to hospital, and when you speak to your pharmacist.
Also, be aware that occasionally manufacturers change the active ingredients of their products without changing the brand name — another reason to read the label properly.
Some examples of medicines with the same umbrella brand name
| Product |
Active ingredients |
|---|---|
| Canesten athletes foot products | |
| Canesten Clotrimazole Anti-fungal Cream | Clotrimazole |
| Canesten Clotrimazole Anti-fungal Topical Solution | Clotrimazole |
| Canesten Clotrimazole Athletes Foot Cream | Clotrimazole |
| Canesten Bifonazole Once Daily Athletes Foot Cream | Bifonazole |
| Codral cold and flu products | |
| Codral Cold and Flu New Formula |
Paracetamol 500 mg |
| Codral Cold and Flu Original Formula | Paracetamol 500 mg Codeine phosphate 6 mg Pseudoephedrine hydrochloride 30 mg |
| Codral Day and Night New Formula Day tablets Night tablets |
Paracetamol 500 mg Paracetamol 500 mg |
| Codral Cold and Flu + Cough New Formula Day tablets Night tablets |
Paracetamol 500 mg Paracetamol 500 mg |
MedicinesTalk is a free quarterly newsletter for consumers written by consumers about using medicines wisely. Subscribe to the hard copy version using our online ordering system, or write to MedicinesTalk, National Prescribing Service Limited, PO Box 1147, Strawberry Hills, NSW 2012.
Date published: 2011-01-17 00:00:00
Reasonable care is taken to provide accurate information at the date of creation. This information is not intended as a substitute for medical advice from a qualified health professional. Health professionals should rely on their own expertise and enquiries when providing medical advice or treatment. Where permitted by law, NPS disclaims all liability (including for negligence) for any loss, damage or injury resulting from reliance on or use of this information. Read our full disclaimer.
References to brands should not be taken as an endorsement by NPS.
