USP Dictionary

The USP Dictionary of United States Adopted Names (USAN) and International Drug Names is the leading reference for nonproprietary drug names and chemical structures. In addition to USANs, the USP Dictionary provides International Nonproprietary Names (INNs), British Approved Names, Japanese Accepted Names, brand names, Unique Ingredient Identifier (UNII) codes, manufacturers, official USP–NF names, molecular weights, graphic formulas, pharmacologic and/or therapeutic categories, and pronunciations.

The USP Dictionary of USAN and International Drug Names has exciting new features and a new user interface! Enhancements include:

  • Search and retrieval by chemical structures (including substructure and similarity) and sequences (for proteins / nucleic acids)
  • Search and retrieval by International Chemical Identifier (InCHITM), simplified molecular-input line-item entry system (SMILES), Unique Ingredient Identifier (UNII) codes, Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS®) number, and other commonly used codes
  • Faceted search by USAN/International Nonproprietary Names (INN)

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Subscriber Resources

Highlights & Features

The 2022 edition features the latest drug name updates and information, including:

  • 6,605 United States Adopted Names (USAN) - 320 are new
  • 13,407 nonproprietary drug name entries
  • 4,200 brand names
  • 17,148 Unique Ingredient Identifier (UNII) codes
  • 9,331 code designations, including 1857 Cancer Chemotherapy National Service Center (NSC) numbers
  • 31,231 Chemical Abstract Service (CAS) registry numbers
  • 29388 graphics
  • 316 new pronunciations

Subscription Information

  • USP Dictionary updates and revisions are published annually each January.
  • Subscriptions are available exclusively in online format, valid for 12 months from date of  activation. Click “Buy Now” above to see current pricing.

Benefits & Applications

The USP Dictionary helps you to:

  • Ensure official compliance in product labeling in order to obtain new drug approval and to avoid "misbranded" products
  • Determine established nonproprietary drug names to use in advertising and labeling as required by U.S. federal law
  • Preserve trademark rights to drug brand names by using proper generic names
  • File accurate and acceptable INDs, NDAs, and ANDAs
  • Avoid errors in reports, correspondence, articles, and package inserts
  • Verify names and spellings of materials used in laboratory research
  • Group drug products into families
  • Determine chemical structures and compositions
  • Avoid serious verbal medication errors

An Essential Reference for

  • Scientists and professionals working in pharmaceutical and related industries, specifically regulatory affairs, quality control, and quality assurance
  • Libraries and schools of medicine and pharmacy
  • Pharmacists, nurses, and other healthcare professionals who need to pronounce and spell drug names correctly

USP Dictionary Redesign: Frequently Asked Questions

1. What new features can I expect from the relaunched USP Dictionary?

USP Dictionary users can expect an improved search and retrieval experience for nonproprietary drug names and chemical structures. Highlights of new features include:

  • Search and retrieval by International Chemical Identifier (InChIkey), simplified molecular-input line-item entry system (SMILES), Unique Ingredient Identifier (UNII) codes, Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) registry number, and other commonly used codes
  • Segmentation of substances by class: chemical, polymer, proteins, mixture, structurally diverse, etc.
  • Search by structures and sequences
  • Faceted search by
    • USAN/International Nonproprietary Names (INN)
    • USAN year of adoption
    • USAN/INN stem (prefix, infix, suffix)
    • Other chemical properties such as molecular weight, stereochemistry, etc.
2. Will my current subscription to the USP Dictionary remain active and transition to the relaunched product?

Yes, all current USP Dictionary subscriptions that have been renewed for 2022 will remain active after the relaunch.

3. How do I access the relaunched USP Dictionary?

All users must have an Access Point account to access the relaunched USP Dictionary; IP-based authentication will no longer be available for the new platform.

4. I don’t have an Access Point account. What do I do?

Follow the steps below to create an Access Point account to access the USP Dictionary:

  1. Watch a video tutorial on how to create an Access Point Account.
  2. Create your Access Point account and associate your Access Point account to your USP Dictionary license key (in one step).
  3. Activate your Access Point account.
    • After you have created your Access Point account, you will receive an e-mail from USP. Click on the link to activate your Access Point account.
  4. Locate your USP Dictionary license key. You should have received a subscription key from either
    • USP, when you purchased a subscription to the dictionary, or
    • the purchaser within your organization
  5. Associate your Access Point account to your USP Dictionary License Key
    • Watch a video tutorial on how to associate your Access Point account to your USP Dictionary subscription key
  6. Login to USP Dictionary online
5. I already have an Access Point account, what do I do?

If you are a user that already has an Access Point account, follow the steps below to access the USP Dictionary:

  1. Locate your USP Dictionary license key. You should have received a subscription key from either
    • USP, when you purchased a subscription to the dictionary, or
    • the purchaser within your organization
  2. Associate your Access Point account to your USP Dictionary License Key
    • Watch a video tutorial on how to associate your Access Point account to your USP Dictionary subscription key
  3. Login to USP Dictionary online
6. Who can I contact with questions about USP Dictionary?

Click here to contact USP Customer Service using an online form, or you can contact Customer Service by phone: (301) 881-0666 or 1-800-227-8772. For technical support, email support@usp.org or call (301) 816-8291.

© The United States Pharmacopeial Convention