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Find out the active ingredient and other brand names of your medicines with the NPS Medicine Name Finder
For a medicinewise Australia
Independent. Not-for-profit. Evidence based.
Find printable Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) leaflets for over 1,500 medicines.
Find consumer medicine information leaflets (CMIs) for over 1500 prescription and pharmacist-only medicines.
Medicine name:Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) is designed to inform consumers about prescription and pharmacist-only medicines. It provides information about a medicine and is written by the pharmaceutical manufacturer.
A CMI gives you important facts to know before, during and after taking your medicine.
The content of a CMI is defined by legislation and includes headings such as how to take your medicines, side effects and a description of the product. The legislation ensures the leaflet is accurate, unbiased and easy to use.
Be sure to check that the brand name (usually in largest text) on your medicine exactly matches with the leaflet, to ensure you've chosen the right one.
Read the entire CMI before taking a new medicine, or to learn more about a medicine you're already taking, to ensure you get the best and safest use of the medicine.
Take it with you to your doctor or pharmacist to discuss any questions about medicines.
Keep it handy so you can refer to it later.
Don't use it to try and diagnose, treat, cure or prevent illness yourself.
Ask your pharmacist or doctor and they will print it from their computer.
Contact the Medical Information Department of the pharmaceutical manufacturer of your medicine. Find their number in the phone book.
Sometimes you get the Consumer Medicine Information leaflet inside the medicine packet or box.
Sometimes you can find the CMI inside the packet or box. If not, you can:
For the cost of a
local call or free online.
Medicines Line for consumers
1300 MEDICINE (1300 633 424)
Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm AEST
Your call will be answered by healthdirect Australia.
Free consumer resources
Order/subscribe to print publications and e-alerts.
Medicine Name Finder
Identify the active ingredient in your prescription medicines.
Browse resources for health professionals
The NPS Guide to Medicines Information Resources.
Date published: 2011-10-11 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.