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Mistaking one medication for another because the two names (either generic or trade names) sound alike or the packages look alike is a common cause of medication error. Errors due to look‐alike sound‐alike (LASA) medications have become so widespread that the World Health Organization launched a worldwide effort to reduce medication errors that come about in this way (WHO, 2007), and many governments have made changes to their medication labelling and naming The addition of ‘tall man’ writing in the name of a drug has been introduced in the UK, Canada, Australia and the US to make the differences between drug names clearer. This technique involves capitalising the parts of the name that are most likely to be misread, for example:

AmiloRIDE, AmlodiPINE, BuPROPion, BupreNORphine.

The mix of capitalised lettering in the name disrupts rapid reading and forces a more careful observation of the name.

The main element in reducing medication errors, however, continues to be careful cross‐checking of LASA medications prior to administration, and ensuring that look‐alike medications are not stored in close proximity to each other. Because the packaging and appearance of medications can change, the generic name of the medication should always be checked, and the identity of a medication should never be assumed from its appearance without checking the label. For example, a 500 mL or 1000 mL bag of clear fluid could be Hartmann solution, sodium chloride or glucose 10%.

Table 1.1 Categorisation of drugs based on clinical usage, general action or specific mechanism of action.

Generic name	Trade names	Chemical class	Therapeutic use	General action	Specific mechanism of action
Diazepam	Valium® Valpam® Antenex®	Benzodiazepines	Anxiolytics	Central nervous system depressants	GABA agonists
Atorvastatin	Lipitor® Torvastat®	Statins	Cholesterol synthesis inhibition	Lipid‐lowering agents	HMG Co‐A reductase inhibitors
Candesartan	Candesan® Adesan® Atacand®	‐	Antihypertensives	Blood pressure‐lowering agents	Angiotensin receptor antagonists
Salmeterol	Serevent®	‐	Acute asthma control	Bronchodilators	Long‐acting beta‐2 agonists
Diclofenac	Voltaren® Voltarol® Difenac® Clonac®		Analgesic, anti‐inflammatory	Non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatories	Cyclo‐oxygenase inhibitors

GABA, gamma‐aminobutyric acid; HMG‐CoA, 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl coenzyme A.