Wonder drug
Wonder drug
Wonder drug (pronunciation: /ˈwʌndər drʌɡ/) is a term often used to describe a medicine or drug that has been discovered or created and has unexpectedly beneficial effects on a wide range of diseases.
Etymology
The term "wonder drug" is believed to have originated in the mid-20th century, during a period of rapid advancement in the field of pharmacology. The term was often used to describe new drugs that had a significant impact on previously untreatable or difficult-to-treat conditions.
Definition
A wonder drug is typically defined as a drug that can treat or cure a variety of diseases, or has significant beneficial effects on a patient's health. This can include drugs that have a broad spectrum of activity, such as antibiotics, or drugs that have a significant impact on a specific disease, such as chemotherapy drugs for cancer.
Examples
Some examples of drugs that have been described as wonder drugs include:
- Penicillin: Discovered in 1928, penicillin was the first antibiotic and has had a significant impact on the treatment of bacterial infections.
- Insulin: Used in the treatment of diabetes, insulin has transformed the lives of millions of people worldwide.
- Aspirin: A common over-the-counter drug, aspirin has a wide range of uses, from pain relief to reducing the risk of heart attacks.
Related terms
- Miracle drug: A term often used interchangeably with wonder drug, but can sometimes refer to a drug with a single, highly effective use.
- Breakthrough therapy: A designation given by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to a drug that has shown significant promise in early clinical trials.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Wonder drug
- Wikipedia's article - Wonder drug
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