如何用英文表达药品成分？

Expressing Drug Ingredients in English: A Comprehensive Guide

When discussing medications, it is crucial to accurately communicate the ingredients present. Whether you are writing a prescription, providing information to patients, or engaging in medical research, knowing how to express drug ingredients in English is essential. This guide will help you navigate through the process of describing the components of a drug in English, ensuring clear and effective communication.

Common Drug Ingredients

1.1 Active Ingredients
The active ingredient is the substance in a medication that produces the desired therapeutic effect. When describing active ingredients, use the following format:

Name of the active ingredient (singular or plural form)
Common name (if applicable)
Dosage form (e.g., tablet, capsule, syrup)

Example: "The active ingredient in this medication is Acetaminophen (Tylenol), which is available in tablet form."

1.2 Inactive Ingredients
Inactive ingredients are the non-active components that help to deliver the active ingredient or improve the drug's stability and shelf life. When mentioning inactive ingredients, follow this structure:

Name of the inactive ingredient (singular or plural form)
Description (if applicable)

Example: "This medication also contains inactive ingredients such as cellulose, lactose, and magnesium stearate."

Generic and Brand Names

2.1 Generic Names
Generic names are non-proprietary names for medications that are identical to the original brand-name drug in dosage, safety, strength, quality, and performance. When using generic names, adhere to the following format:

Generic name (singular or plural form)
Dosage form (if applicable)

Example: "The generic name for this medication is Metformin hydrochloride, available in tablet form."

2.2 Brand Names
Brand names are proprietary names given to medications by the manufacturer. When describing brand names, use the following structure:

Brand name (singular or plural form)
Manufacturer (if applicable)

Example: "The brand name for this medication is Glucophage, manufactured by Novartis."

Combination Drugs

Combination drugs contain more than one active ingredient. When describing these medications, list the active ingredients in the order of their strength, followed by the dosage form:

Active ingredient 1 (strength)
Active ingredient 2 (strength)
Dosage form

Example: "This combination medication contains Acetaminophen (500 mg) and Codeine (30 mg) in tablet form."

Dosage Forms

Dosage forms refer to the physical form in which a drug is administered. Common dosage forms include:

Tablets
Capsules
Powders
Syrups
Injections
Creams
Ointments
Solutions
Suspensions

When describing dosage forms, use the following format:

Dosage form (singular or plural form)
Description (if applicable)

Example: "This medication is available in tablet form, which is taken orally."

Strengths and Concentrations

When discussing the strength or concentration of a drug, use the following format:

Strength (in milligrams or other appropriate units)
Description (if applicable)

Example: "The tablet contains 500 mg of Acetaminophen."

Special Considerations

6.1 Generic vs. Brand Name
When discussing medications, it is essential to differentiate between generic and brand-name drugs. Be clear about whether you are referring to the generic name, brand name, or both.

6.2 International Variations
Be aware that drug names and ingredients may vary between countries. When communicating across borders, it is crucial to verify the correct names and ingredients for the intended market.

6.3 Prescribing Information
Always refer to the prescribing information provided by the manufacturer or regulatory authorities when describing drug ingredients. This ensures accuracy and up-to-date information.

In conclusion, expressing drug ingredients in English requires attention to detail and a clear understanding of the various components involved. By following the guidelines outlined in this guide, you can effectively communicate the ingredients of a medication, ensuring accurate and informative discussions among healthcare professionals, patients, and researchers.