Approved names and ingredient types

Approved names are used in the regulation of therapeutic goods to:

• ensure only one name is used to specify a substance (to avoid confusion)
• ensure that the name clearly and unambiguously identifies the substance for identification and testing purposes
• ensure consistency of names with international conventions, e.g. International Non-proprietary Names (INNs).

For details go to:

•  Approved names for ingredients
• Updating medicine ingredient names - list of affected ingredients

There are 2 types of ingredients used in therapeutic goods:

• An active ingredient is a therapeutically active component in a medicine's final formulation.
• An excipient ingredient in a medicine's final formulation that is not a therapeutically active component. For example, preservatives, tablet coatings or ingredients that contribute to fragrance or flavour. Excipients are also found in other types of therapeutic goods. For example, preservative media for tissues, adhesives in devices, preservatives in ultra sound gels or fragrances in disinfectants.

For details go to Ingredient basics.