International Nonproprietary Name

An International Nonproprietary Name (INN; also known as rINN, for recommended International Nonproprietary Name) is the official non-proprietary or generic name given to a pharmaceutical substance, as designated by the World Health Organization (WHO). The plethora of named proprietary preparations containing a given substance can lead to confusion about the identity of the active ingredient. INNs facilitate communication by providing a standard name for each substance. A similar role is played in chemistry by IUPAC names; however, these are less suited to common usage, being typically very long and unwieldy. WHO issues INN names in English, Latin, French, Russian, and Spanish; Arabic and Chinese versions, although not included in the original scheme, are now also being issued.

Additional recommended knowledge

Don't let static charges disrupt your weighing accuracy

What is the Sensitivity of my Balance?

How to quickly check pipettes?

Example

Proprietary Names: Crocin

See also

• World Health Organization
• IUPAC nomenclature