INN (International Nonproprietary Name)
An INN is the universal scientific name for a medication, used worldwide regardless of brand names.
An INN is the universal scientific name for a medication, used worldwide regardless of brand names.
Also known as
INN, Generic name, Scientific name, WHO drug name, Active ingredient name
Why travellers need to know
Brand names for the same medication differ between countries, and pharmacists abroad won't recognise your home brands. The INN is the one name that works everywhere. Having your medication list with INNs rather than (or alongside) brand names means any pharmacist in any country can identify exactly what you take and find a local equivalent.
Real-world example
You take Lipitor for cholesterol at home. In a pharmacy in Buenos Aires, nobody recognises 'Lipitor'. But when you show them 'atorvastatin' (the INN), the pharmacist immediately finds the local equivalent and you walk out with a month's supply in 5 minutes.
Country-specific notes
🇯🇵 Japan
Japanese pharmacies use both INN and Japanese brand names
Japanese pharmacies stock medications under both international INNs and Japanese brand names. Showing the INN in writing (romaji or English) is significantly more effective than trying to pronounce a brand name. Japanese pharmacists are trained in INN nomenclature.
🇮🇳 India
Indian generics are sold by INN as standard
India's pharmaceutical market is heavily generic. Most medications are sold by their INN name directly, making it one of the easiest countries to find medication equivalents. Prices are typically 80-95% lower than branded equivalents in Western countries.
🇫🇷 France
French law has required INN-based prescribing by default since 2015
French GPs must prescribe by INN unless clinically justified. Pharmacists dispense a generic unless the prescriber writes "non substituable" (NS). This makes INN names particularly useful for navigating French pharmacies.
If you know your INN, a French pharmacist will understand your medication immediately — even if the brand name is unrecognised.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I find the INN for my medication?
Check the patient information leaflet inside your medication box, or look at the small print on the packaging. The INN (generic/scientific name) is always listed alongside the brand name. Your pharmacist or doctor can also confirm it. The WHO maintains the official INN database.
Is a generic medication with the same INN identical to my branded version?
Generic medications with the same INN contain the same active ingredient at the same dosage. They must meet the same regulatory standards for safety and efficacy. Minor differences in inactive ingredients (fillers, coatings) exist but rarely affect how the medication works.
Nomedic stores your medications with both brand names and INNs, so any pharmacist worldwide can match your prescriptions from a single screen.