Drug
(Redirected from Drugs)
Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC
Definition and classification[edit | edit source]
_(8493715800).jpg)
_drug_seized_by_US_Customs.jpg)
A drug is a substance that, when introduced into the body of a human or another animal, produces one or more effects such as medicinal, intoxicating, therapeutic, performance-enhancing, or psychoactive effects. Drugs are typically distinguished from food in that they are not consumed primarily for nutritional value, though the distinction between drugs and foods may vary across cultures and contexts.
The classification and regulation of drugs differ significantly across societies and legal jurisdictions. A substance considered a drug in one country may be regarded as food, a supplement, or even legal in another. As a result, the legal, cultural, and medical definitions of the term "drug" may diverge.
Within a single jurisdiction, there may be debate or ambiguity over whether a substance qualifies as a drug, how it should be regulated, and what purposes its use may serve. This has led to various interpretations under drug control law, government regulation, clinical pharmacology, and colloquial usage.
Classification[edit | edit source]
Drugs can be broadly categorized into several groups based on their function and legal status:
- Medicinal drugs: Used for diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of disease. These include prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, and pharmaceutical drugs.
- Recreational drugs: Substances used for their psychoactive effects, often without medical justification. Examples include alcohol, cannabis, and certain hallucinogens.
- Performance-enhancing drugs: Used to improve physical or mental function, commonly associated with athletics. Examples include anabolic steroids and certain nootropics.
- Illicit drugs: Substances whose production, sale, or possession is prohibited by law. These vary by jurisdiction and include drugs like heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine.
See also[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
