Most medications designed to be marketed--whether as prescriptions medicines or over-the-counter drugs--have two names. They start with the generic names, which often include a variation on the type of medicine along with its usage. Once the drug passes through clinical tested, the company that developed it typically gives it a brand name. Since the drug often becomes known by this name until patent protection has expired, people typically associate it with its original brand name.
Acetaminophen
Most people know acetaminophen in the United States as one of its early brand names, Tylenol. Other brand names for this product include Anacin, Cetafen, Comtrex and others. This non-narcotic analgesic medication usage includes pain relief and decreasing fever. Acetaminophen is available OTC or in stronger doses as a prescription medicine. It also may be combined with narcotic analgesics for higher levels of pain. In these forms, it is marketed as Vicodin, Lortab and Darvocet, among others names. This drug has no common serious side effects.
Ibuprofen
Ibuprofen works in a different way than acetaminophen as a painkiller. Ibuprofen, sold OTC as Advil, Nuprin, Midol and Motrin among other names, is an NSAID or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. It works by reducing inflammation and swelling, rather than by deadening pain directly. For this reason, many use it to treat conditions such as arthritis. Available in both OTC and as a prescription drug or in combination with narcotic analgesics, Ibuprofen has many potential common serious side effects including abdominal pain, nausea, gaining weight and difficulty breathing.
Escitalopram
Escitalopram is sold in the United States as Lexapro and only by prescription. It is an SSRI or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor prescribed in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder and mental depression. It functions by making serotonin more active in your brain, the Mayo Clinic states, which appears to alleviate depression and anxiety. There are no reported serious common side effects of escitalopram, but common temporary--lasting a few days to a week--non-serious side effects include insomnia, impotence in men, diarrhea and a lowered libido.
Lisinopril
Zestril and Prinivil are the two U.S. brand names for lisinopril, a prescription drug. Doctors prescribe this medicine to help reduce your blood pressure, the Mayo Clinic reports, if you have hypertension. It functions by preventing your blood vessels from constricting. This allows your heart to work easier because the blood flows more easily throughout your body. Common serious side effects of lisinopril include mental confusion, blurry vision, dizziness and fatigue, among others.
Alprazolam
Most commonly known by its brand name, Xanax, doctors prescribed alprazolam to treat anxiety symptoms. Alprazolam, classified as a benzodiazepine, can cause problems with long-term use because of the tendency for you to grow dependent upon it and addicted to it. Serious common side effects include memory problems, discouragement, irritability and loss of appetite.
