Medicinal drug
Medicinal Drug
A Medicinal Drug (pronunciation: /mɛdɪˈsɪnəl drʌɡ/), also known as a Medicine or Medication, is a substance used to diagnose, cure, treat, or prevent diseases. The term originates from the Latin word medicina, meaning "the healing art".
Etymology
The term "Medicinal" is derived from the Latin medicinalis, meaning "pertaining to medicine", while "Drug" comes from the Old French drogue, possibly derived from droge vate, meaning "dry barrels", referring to medicinal substances preserved in these containers.
Types of Medicinal Drugs
Medicinal drugs can be classified into various categories, including:
- Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs: These are drugs that can be purchased without a prescription.
- Prescription drugs: These are drugs that require a prescription from a licensed healthcare professional.
- Generic drugs: These are drugs that have the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs, but are typically cheaper.
- Brand-name drugs: These are drugs that are marketed under a specific trade name by a pharmaceutical company.
Administration of Medicinal Drugs
Medicinal drugs can be administered in several ways, such as:
- Orally: The drug is taken by mouth.
- Intravenously: The drug is injected into a vein.
- Topically: The drug is applied to a particular area of the skin.
- Inhalation: The drug is inhaled into the lungs.
Side Effects
All medicinal drugs can potentially cause side effects, which are unwanted or unexpected symptoms or feelings that occur when you take a drug. Common side effects include nausea, dizziness, and allergic reactions.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Medicinal drug
- Wikipedia's article - Medicinal drug
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