The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) would like to remind you that more dual
labelled medicine ingredient names begin the transition to sole ingredient names soon.

Dual labelling transition to sole medicine ingredient names
Dual labelling introduced some new ingredient names to Australia. Using both old and new names on medicine labels gave consumers and health professionals time to adjust to the new names.

The dual labelling period for most ingredient names ended on 30 April 2023 and entered a transition period towards showing only new names on medicine labels.

For some ingredient names, dual labelling continued for longer. These names were identified during consultation with health professionals and others who wanted more time to become familiar with the new names. A small set of ingredient names will continue with dual labelling.

For more information see: Dual labelled medicine ingredient names transition to sole names.

List of ingredient names with longer dual labelling period ending 30 April 2025
Medicine labels must continue to show the new and old name for these ingredients until 30 April 2025.

  • dosulepin (dothiepin) hydrochloride
  • hydroxycarbamide (hydroxyurea)
  • tetracaine (amethocaine)
  • tetracaine (amethocaine) hydrochloride
  •  trihexyphenidyl (benzhexol) hydrochloride.

Medicine sponsors then have 3 years to update labels to show sole names.

Medicines with labels using only the new ingredient name will start to appear on shelves
over time after the end of the dual labelling periods. For example, labels of medicines
containing ‘hydroxycarbamide (hydroxyurea)’ will begin to appear as containing
‘hydroxycarbamide’ sometime after 30 April 2025.

Take care when prescribing, dispensing, and administering medicines to make sure you
choose the right product.

More information to help health professionals understand ingredient names on medicine
labels as they transition to show new names only is available here.

Remind patients and consumers to speak to a doctor or pharmacist if they see an ingredient name they don’t recognise or have questions about ingredients in medicines