Any chemical that alters the physiologic processes of living systems.
Any medical substance possessing the qualities that will aid in the diagnosing, treating, curing, or preventing disease or maintaining health.
Any substance intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment or prevention of disease, or intended to affect the structure or function of the body (not including food), or components of these substances. Substances recognized in the official U.S. Pharmacopeia, the official Homeopathic Pharmacopeia of the U.S., or the official National Formulary are drugs.
A natural or synthetic chemical substance which is used in medicine and affects the way in which organs or tissues function.
A substance taken by choice which produces a strong effect on a person’s feelings and state of mind.
Any chemical substance that can affect the mind or body.
In medicine, a drug is a compound used to treat disease, injury, or pain. A drug may also be any substance intended for use as a component of a medication. A drug can cause addiction or a change in consciousness. Alcohol and tobacco are legal drugs that are widely abused.
Any substance that affects the structure or functioning of a living organism. Drugs are widely used for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease and for the relief of symptoms. The term medicine is sometimes preferred for therapeutic drugs in order to distinguish them from narcotics and other addictive drugs that are used illegally.
These are natural products or synthetic chemicals that can alter the way in which the body works, or be used to prevent or treat disease. One or more drugs, combined with stabilisers, colourings, and other ingredients, make(s) up a medicine for practical use in treating patients. In Britain, the supply of drugs is controlled by the Medicines Act. Some drugs are available only on prescription; some both on prescription and over the counter; and some are not available on NHS prescription. Each drug has a single generic name, but many will also have several proprietary (brand) names. It is often much cheaper to prescribe the generic form of a drug, and many doctors do so. Many hospitals and general practices in the United Kingdom now provide a list of suggested drugs for doctors and dentists to prescribe. If a doctor wishes to use a drug not on the list, he or she must give a valid reason.
Any substance that, when taken into a living organism, may modify one or more of its functions.
Drug is a chemical that alters a person’s physical or mental condition.
Any substance that causes a change in a person’s physical or psychological state.
Any nonfood substance that alters thought and/or behavior.
Any chemical that causes changes in a person’s body or behavior.
A medicament; any matter (excluding sustenance) that is employed in identifying, forestalling, or curing an ailment.
A chemical compound that modifies the operation of one or more organs in the body or the progression of a disease is known as a drug. This category encompasses prescribed medications, remedies available for purchase without a prescription, and various substances like alcohol, tobacco, and drugs that are often misused for non-therapeutic reasons.
Typically, drugs carry a chemical name, a sanctioned generic name, and frequently, a brand name. Medicinal drugs can be classified into two categories: those that require a doctor’s prescription for use, and those that can be purchased directly from a pharmacy or a supermarket without any prescription.
The majority of drugs are synthetically manufactured to guarantee a pure formulation with a predictable level of potency (strength). Some drugs are produced via genetic engineering. Drugs can be categorized based on their chemical composition, the disease they address, or their specific impact on the body. All novel drugs undergo tests to evaluate their efficacy and safety. In the UK, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is responsible for issuing licences for drugs. If a drug is found to have toxic effects or causes serious illness, its licence can be revoked.
Drugs can be employed to alleviate physical or psychological symptoms, substitute a lacking natural substance, or inhibit the overproduction of a hormone or another body chemical. Some drugs are administered to eradicate foreign entities like bacteria or fungi. Another category of drugs, referred to as vaccines, are used to trigger the body’s immune system to produce antibodies.
Drugs can be administered orally or via injection, or they can be applied directly or indirectly to the targeted area through methods such as transdermal, nasal, and other direct pathways (for instance, drugs can be delivered to the lungs via an inhaler). Injected drugs act faster than those taken orally as they directly enter the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system. There are various injection methods, with intravenous being the quickest. Intramuscular injections also have a rapid effect due to the ample blood supply in muscles. Subcutaneous injection is the slowest method, however, it is more conducive to self-administration of drugs.
Drugs that are not absorbed are metabolized in the liver. Those that are consumed orally are expelled from the body in the form of faeces, while those that have entered the bloodstream are excreted via urine.
The majority of medications have the potential to cause undesirable side effects. As the body acclimates to the medication, these effects often diminish. If there is a modification in how a drug is absorbed, metabolized, or expelled from the body – a process that could be influenced by conditions like liver disease – the likelihood of adverse effects increases. Unanticipated responses might occur as a result of genetic disorders, allergies, or the creation of antibodies that harm bodily tissues. Additionally, certain medications can interact negatively with food, alcohol, or other drugs.
A number of medications possess the ability to traverse the placenta, and if ingested by an expectant mother, some could interfere with the fetus’s growth and development. Furthermore, most medications can be transferred into the breast milk of a lactating mother, potentially leading to undesirable effects on the infant.
Any material employed medicinally to treat or prevent illness, aid in diagnosis, or alleviate pain.