About this test
Brand and generic recall is the single highest-yield memorization task in PTCE prep. It shows up throughout the Medications domain (35% of the exam) and is a daily task once you are certified, because prescribers and patients use both names interchangeably.
This quiz drills recall in both directions: given the brand, name the generic, and given the generic, name the brand. Each answer is cited, and the distractors are deliberately drawn from the same drug class so you are practicing true recall, not process of elimination.
New to the material? Work through our 2026 PTCB study guide first, then reinforce it with the top 200 drugs list by class and the drug-class study guides.
Sample questions with answers
These 8 questions come straight from the 13-question bank the timed test above draws from. Work each one before you open the answer: recalling it cold is what moves it into long-term memory.
1. Lasix is the brand name for which generic medication?
- A.Bumetanide
- B.Torsemide
- C.Furosemide
- D.Spironolactone
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: C. Furosemide
Lasix is the brand name for furosemide, a loop diuretic used to treat edema and high blood pressure. Bumetanide and torsemide are other loop diuretics, while spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic that works by a different mechanism.
2. Coumadin is a brand name for which anticoagulant?
- A.Enoxaparin
- B.Apixaban
- C.Rivaroxaban
- D.Warfarin
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: D. Warfarin
Coumadin is the brand name for warfarin, a vitamin K antagonist anticoagulant that requires routine INR monitoring. Apixaban and rivaroxaban are newer oral anticoagulants (factor Xa inhibitors), and enoxaparin is an injectable low molecular weight heparin, so all three differ from warfarin.
3. A cardiologist orders Plavix for a patient after a coronary stent. Which generic antiplatelet drug should the technician expect to dispense?
- A.Clopidogrel
- B.Ticagrelor
- C.Prasugrel
- D.Dipyridamole
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. Clopidogrel
Plavix is the brand name for clopidogrel, an antiplatelet drug used to prevent heart attacks and strokes. Ticagrelor and prasugrel are other antiplatelet agents in the same general category, but they are separate products marketed under their own brand names.
4. Amoxil is the brand name for which generic antibiotic?
- A.Ampicillin
- B.Penicillin V potassium
- C.Amoxicillin
- D.Dicloxacillin
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: C. Amoxicillin
Amoxil is a brand name for amoxicillin, a penicillin-class antibiotic used for many common bacterial infections. Ampicillin, penicillin V, and dicloxacillin are related penicillins but are distinct drugs, so brand-to-generic matching matters here.
5. A 'Z-Pak' (Zithromax) contains which generic antibiotic?
- A.Clarithromycin
- B.Erythromycin
- C.Cephalexin
- D.Azithromycin
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: D. Azithromycin
Zithromax, commonly dispensed as the Z-Pak, is the brand name for azithromycin, a macrolide antibiotic. Clarithromycin and erythromycin are also macrolides, but cephalexin is a cephalosporin, a different antibiotic class entirely.
6. OxyContin is an extended-release brand of which generic opioid?
- A.Hydrocodone
- B.Hydromorphone
- C.Morphine
- D.Oxycodone
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: D. Oxycodone
OxyContin is an extended-release formulation of oxycodone, a Schedule II opioid analgesic for severe pain. Hydrocodone, hydromorphone, and morphine are other opioids that are easy to confuse but are distinct generic drugs.
7. Wellbutrin and Zyban are both brand names for the same antidepressant, with Zyban specifically marketed to aid smoking cessation. Which drug is it?
- A.Varenicline
- B.Nicotine
- C.Bupropion
- D.Nortriptyline
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: C. Bupropion
Both Wellbutrin (for depression) and Zyban (for smoking cessation) contain bupropion, which is why a technician must watch for duplicate therapy if a patient uses both brands. Varenicline (Chantix) is a different smoking-cessation medication and is not interchangeable with bupropion.
8. Zyrtec is the brand name for which generic antihistamine?
- A.Cetirizine
- B.Loratadine
- C.Fexofenadine
- D.Diphenhydramine
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. Cetirizine
Zyrtec is the brand name for cetirizine, a second-generation antihistamine used for allergy symptoms and hives. Loratadine (Claritin) and fexofenadine (Allegra) are other second-generation antihistamines, while diphenhydramine (Benadryl) is a first-generation antihistamine that causes more drowsiness.
Ready for the full timed run? Scroll back up and start the Brand & Generic Quiz, or browse every free PTCB quiz by exam domain.
Key concepts to know
Drill in both directions
The exam asks brand-to-generic and generic-to-brand, so practice both. Atorvastatin is Lipitor and Lipitor is atorvastatin should be equally automatic. Flashcards that you can flip either way are ideal for this.
Anchor to the indication
Learn each drug as a triple: brand, generic, and what it treats. Metformin, Glucophage, and type 2 diabetes belong together in memory. The indication is the hook that makes the name pair stick.
Brand & Generic Quiz: FAQ
Which drugs should I prioritize?
Prioritize the most-dispensed medications, since those appear most often on the exam and in practice. Our top 200 drugs list groups them by class so you can drill the highest-volume names first.
How is this different from the Top 200 Drugs quiz?
This quiz focuses specifically on brand-to-generic matching. The Top 200 Drugs quiz mixes matching with class and indication questions across a broader drug list.
Official sources checked
This quiz's content and explanations are built from and cross-checked against primary sources. Verify current exam facts directly with PTCB.