New Names, New Rules: How IBD Drugs Get Their Labels

The world of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) treatments has grown fast, making it hard to keep track of what each drug is. Doctors need clear names so they can prescribe safely, monitor side effects, talk to colleagues abroad, and help patients understand their medicines.

A Brief History

In 1953 the World Health Organization created a system that gives every medicine a unique, non‑brand name. The old way of adding “-mab” for monoclonal antibodies worked when there were only a few of them. Today, however, the field is crowded with new engineered drugs that look and act very differently from one another.

The 2021 Naming Overhaul

Because of this, the naming rules were changed in 2021. New endings like “-tug,” “-bart,” “-ment,” and “-mig” were added. They give doctors clues about a drug’s structure or function, but many still do not know what these suffixes mean.

Why It Matters

A recent review looks back at how the naming system has shifted over time, from early IBD medicines to modern biologics. It pulls together old research and WHO guidelines to show why the new names were introduced and how they help in everyday practice.

As IBD therapies keep expanding, knowing the current naming rules is crucial for safe prescribing and clear communication among health professionals.