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Originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes, and more recently approved for use as a weight loss injectable, the popular drug intentionally has an “Olympic-achievement message… automatically built in”, according to the creative director who was a part of the team that named the drug. These kinds of connotations are popular in the diabetes category; another diabetes medication goes by the name Victoza, and another, Jardiance.

This diabetes generic drug derives its prefix from ‘meth’, a nod to its chemical structure, and its suffix, ‘formin’ from the INN stem of antihyperglycaemics (phenformin derivatives). Its brand name counterpart Glucophage is adopted from ancient Greek meaning ‘glucose eater’.

The recently approved generic drug iptacopan is used to treat a rare blood disorder, aroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria. The prefix ‘fab’ connotes both ‘fabulous’ and ‘Factor B’, while the suffix ‘halta’ suggests ‘to stop’ in English – referencing its use as a complement inhibitor.