More medicines begin transition to sole ingredient names soon

Dual labelled ingredient names moving to sole names from May 2025

Some medicine labels show both the old and new active ingredient name. We call this dual labelling. Using both old and new names on labels gave consumers and health professionals time to adjust to new names.

The dual labelling period for most ingredient names ended on 30 April 2023. After this date, labels can show the new ingredient name or show both names for up to 3 years before changing.

For some ingredient names, the dual labelling period continued until 30 April 2025. Soon these medicines will start to show only the new name for ingredients.

Read more about Dual labelled medicine ingredient names start the transition to sole names.

For health professionals

Medicines with labels using only the new ingredient name will start to appear on shelves over time after the end of the dual labelling periods. For example, labels of medicines containing ‘hydroxycarbamide (hydroxyurea)’ will begin to appear as containing ‘hydroxycarbamide’ after 30 April 2025.

Take care when prescribing, dispensing, and administering medicines to make sure you choose the right product.

We have more information to help health professionals understand ingredient names on medicine labels as they transition to show new names only.

For consumers

If you see an ingredient name you don’t recognise, or have questions about ingredients in medicines, speak to your health professional.