Prescription medications

Prescription Medications

Prescription medications (pronunciation: /prɪˈskrɪpʃ(ə)n mɛdɪˈkeɪʃ(ə)n/), also known as prescription drugs or Rx drugs, are pharmaceutical substances that require a medical prescription to be dispensed.

Etymology

The term "prescription" comes from the Latin word "praescriptio", which means "to write before". This refers to the practice of physicians writing a list of medications before they are dispensed to the patient. The term "medication" comes from the Latin word "medicatio", meaning "a healing".

Definition

Prescription medications are drugs that, due to their potential for misuse or harm, are regulated by legislation to require a medical prescription before they can be obtained. The precise distinction between OTC and prescription depends on the legal jurisdiction.

Types of Prescription Medications

There are many types of prescription medications, including:

• Antibiotics: These are used to treat bacterial infections.
• Antidepressants: These are used to treat various forms of depression.
• Antivirals: These are used to treat viral infections, such as HIV and herpes.
• Analgesics: These are used to relieve pain.
• Hypnotics: These are used to induce sleep in individuals with insomnia.
• Stimulants: These are used to treat conditions like ADHD and narcolepsy.

Related Terms

• Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs: These are drugs that can be purchased without a prescription.
• Pharmacy: This is the place where prescription medications are dispensed.
• Pharmacist: This is the healthcare professional who dispenses prescription medications.
• Physician: This is the healthcare professional who prescribes medications.

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