Drugs have two names because, for every drug, there is a generic name and a brand name. The brand name is what is known to the public. It is given this name when the drug is released to the masses. The generic name of a drug is the name that first comes with the creation of the drug.
The brand name is more known because it is the one that is patented to the drug, which prevents other companies from using the drug. However, other companies can create new drugs with a generic name. A generic and a brand drug can both be prescribed to a patient, depending on the orders from the doctor.
Every medication comes to the market with two names, and these are generic and brand names, respectively. The brand name is the one that is most well known to the public, and the generic is the name that the drug is born with and is given a brand name when it comes to market.
When a medication is given a brand name, it is patented with that name, and once the patent lapses, other companies are permitted to replicate the drug with the generic name. There can be a difference in the composition of the generic medication produced aftermarket brands. There are some medications that physicians prefer to prescribe as brand necessary because certain levels may not be the same in the generic version.