Capitalization Rules for Medication Names

The following capitalization rules apply to medication names:

• When applicable, look-alike and sound-alike medication names are displayed using “tall man” lettering in compliance with recommendations from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (www.ismp.org/Tools/tallmanletters.pdf) e.g., vinBLAStine and vinCRIStine.
• Proprietary medication names (brand names or trade names) appear in all uppercase: e.g., TYLENOL.
• Nonproprietary medication names should appear in all lowercase: e.g.,atenolol. Nonproprietary medication names are used whenever possible.