HELP! Keeping up with GENERIC and TRADE drug names

[GottaLuvIt]

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After step 1 and before clinical rotations, I became more familiar with the generic names of drugs, but now in my last 2 clinical years, I tend to be confronted more with the trade names pts tend to remember. I feel pretty lame having to keep referring back to my ipod to convert trade to generic names.

Does anyone know of an app, or website, or flashcards for purchase that I can use to help these connections during my down time? Preferrably something specific to connecting trade and generic names for review - not necessarily a simple, broad drug list that I would scroll through (have one of those)

I'm sure it gets better with time and with more times you are exposed to it, but I want to try to hurry the process - it wastes time to look these things up!

Hopefully, I'm not the only one out there with this issue....

 

[BigRedBeta]

Everyone deals with it.

The biggest thing is just repeated exposure. Most people don't become really comfortable with both names until residency. Part of it is that as a med student you're changing specialties every 8 weeks and having to deal with a new set of common medications. Once you get into your chosen field, it'll become much easier.

 

[TexasPhysician]

Its part of the initiation. You have to suffer for your own good. 🙂

 

[PMPMD]

Get epocrates, and every time you hear a drug name on rounds or anywhere else, look up both names. You will see a limited number of drugs over and over, this makes it somewhat easier.

 

[2012mdc]

Get epocrates, and every time you hear a drug name on rounds or anywhere else, look up both names. You will see a limited number of drugs over and over, this makes it somewhat easier.

+1. Repetition is the key. Whenever I hear a trade name and I'm not 100% sure of the generic I look it up. After time you just become comfortable with the common ones and those are really the only ones you need to worry about.

For the less obscure ones the attendings often don't know both names and ask us to look it up. A lot of times this happens when looking at notes/rec's from consult services

 

[GottaLuvIt]

Thanks for the great suggestions. I definitely agree that things will get easier with time and as I move into my final specialty.

So far, no one has mentioned any resources (except epocrates) that is designed for this type of review. Wanted to avoid making my own flashcards - any one else care to share resources?

It would be a big help - thanks!

 

[TexasPhysician]

Thanks for the great suggestions. I definitely agree that things will get easier with time and as I move into my final specialty.

So far, no one has mentioned any resources (except epocrates) that is designed for this type of review. Wanted to avoid making my own flashcards - any one else care to share resources?

It would be a big help - thanks!

I doubt good resources exist. Hundreds of drugs are developed each year. By the time someone copyrighted flashcards, they would be years behind.

Take schizophrenia alone. 3 new drugs in the past year.

Epocrates and medscape apps on a good phone will update the quickest, they are free, and allows self quizzing for hours on end.

No physician will know all the drugs out there. Just learn what you use the most and pick up the stragglers as they come along.