Medication
Substance used to diagnose, cure, treat, or prevent disease
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Other names | Medicine, drug, pharmaceutical, pharmaceutical preparation, pharmaceutical product, medicinal product, medicament, remedy |
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Substance used to diagnose, cure, treat, or prevent disease
Medication (also called medicine, pharmaceutical drug, or simply drug) is a substance used to diagnose, cure, treat, or prevent disease.[1] Drug therapy, or pharmacotherapy, plays a vital role in modern medicine and is supported by the fields of pharmacology and pharmacy.
Medications can be classified in various ways, including:
- Prescription drugs – Require a medical prescription.
- Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs – Available without prescription.
- By mode of action – E.g., painkillers, antibiotics, antihypertensives.
- By target system – E.g., nervous system drugs, cardiovascular drugs.
- By chemical composition – E.g., small molecules, biologics.
- By therapeutic effect – E.g., anti-inflammatory, antiviral.
The World Health Organization (WHO) maintains a list of essential medicines, considered the most effective and safe for healthcare systems worldwide.
Drug Discovery and Development[edit | edit source]
The development of new medications is a complex and costly process that involves: 1. Drug Discovery – Identifying potential drug candidates through research. 2. Preclinical Testing – Evaluating efficacy and safety in lab and animal studies. 3. Clinical Trials – Human testing in phases (I–III) to assess safety, dosage, and effectiveness. 4. Regulatory Approval – Submission to agencies like the FDA (U.S.) or EMA (Europe) for market approval. 5. Post-Market Surveillance – Ongoing monitoring for safety and effectiveness.
On average, it takes 10–15 years and costs over $1 billion to bring a new drug to market.
Drug Administration and Dosage[edit | edit source]
Medications can be administered via different routes:
- Oral (PO) – Tablets, capsules, syrups.
- Injection (IV, IM, SC) – Intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous.
- Topical – Creams, ointments, transdermal patches.
- Inhalation – Nebulizers, inhalers.
- Sublingual & Buccal – Under the tongue or inside the cheek.
- Ophthalmic & Otic – Eye and ear drops.
- Rectal & Vaginal – Suppositories, creams.
Dosage forms include:
- Solids – Tablets, capsules, powders.
- Liquids – Syrups, suspensions, solutions.
- Injectables – IV fluids, vaccines.
- Other – Sprays, patches, gels.
Types of Medications[edit | edit source]
Medications are classified based on therapeutic use:
1. For Pain and Fever[edit | edit source]
- Analgesics – Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, Morphine.
- Antipyretics – Reduce fever, e.g., Aspirin, Acetaminophen.
2. For Infections[edit | edit source]
- Antibiotics – Treat bacterial infections, e.g., Penicillin, Azithromycin.
- Antivirals – Treat viral infections, e.g., Oseltamivir (Tamiflu).
- Antifungals – Treat fungal infections, e.g., Fluconazole, Clotrimazole.
- Antiparasitics – Treat parasites, e.g., Ivermectin, Chloroquine.
3. For Cardiovascular Conditions[edit | edit source]
- Antihypertensives – Lower blood pressure, e.g., Amlodipine, Lisinopril.
- Anticoagulants – Prevent blood clots, e.g., Warfarin, Heparin.
- Statins – Lower cholesterol, e.g., Atorvastatin, Simvastatin.
4. For Central Nervous System (CNS)[edit | edit source]
- Antidepressants – Treat depression, e.g., Fluoxetine, Sertraline.
- Anxiolytics – Reduce anxiety, e.g., Diazepam, Lorazepam.
- Antiepileptics – Treat seizures, e.g., Valproate, Carbamazepine.
- Stimulants – Treat ADHD, e.g., Methylphenidate (Ritalin).
5. For Endocrine Disorders[edit | edit source]
- Insulin – Treats diabetes.
- Thyroid hormones – Treats hypothyroidism, e.g., Levothyroxine.
- Oral contraceptives – Birth control pills.
6. For Respiratory Conditions[edit | edit source]
- Bronchodilators – Treat asthma and COPD, e.g., Salbutamol.
- Antihistamines – Treat allergies, e.g., Loratadine, Cetirizine.
7. For Gastrointestinal Disorders[edit | edit source]
- Antacids – Neutralize stomach acid, e.g., Omeprazole, Ranitidine.
- Laxatives – Relieve constipation, e.g., Psyllium.
- Antiemetics – Prevent nausea, e.g., Ondansetron.
Medication Regulation[edit | edit source]
Medication regulation ensures safety, efficacy, and quality. Key regulatory agencies include:
- FDA (United States)
- EMA (European Medicines Agency)
- MHRA (UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency)
- TGA (Australia Therapeutic Goods Administration)
- WHO (World Health Organization)
These agencies oversee:
- Clinical trials and drug approvals.
- Prescription vs. OTC classification.
- Generic vs. Brand-name approvals.
- Post-market surveillance.
Pharmaceutical Pricing and Access[edit | edit source]
Drug pricing varies by region and is influenced by:
- Research and development costs.
- Patent protection (usually 20 years).
- Government regulations.
- Market demand.
Efforts to improve access include:
- WHO Essential Medicines List – Recommends affordable, life-saving drugs.
- Compulsory Licensing – Allows generic production in emergencies.
- Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs – Help low-income patients.
Controversies and Issues[edit | edit source]
1. Access to Essential Medicines Many life-saving drugs remain unaffordable or unavailable in low-income countries due to:
- Patent monopolies restricting generic production.
- High production costs.
- Inefficient healthcare infrastructure.
2. Drug Safety and Side Effects Some medications have led to major health concerns:
- Thalidomide tragedy (1950s-60s) – Severe birth defects.
- Opioid crisis (1990s-present) – Overprescription and addiction.
3. Environmental Impact Pharmaceutical waste enters the environment through:
- Improper disposal.
- Water contamination from excreted drugs.
- Livestock antibiotics affecting ecosystems.
History of Medications[edit | edit source]
Ancient Medicine
- Egyptians (1500 BC) – Used honey, herbs, and minerals.
- Greeks (400 BC) – Hippocrates pioneered rational medicine.
- Chinese Medicine (200 BC) – Used herbal compounds.
Modern Advances
- 19th Century – Discovery of aspirin, morphine, and vaccines.
- 20th Century – Development of antibiotics (penicillin), insulin, and chemotherapy.
- 21st Century – Advances in biologics, gene therapy, and personalized medicine.
See Also[edit | edit source]
- Pharmacology
- Prescription drug
- Over-the-counter drug
- List of pharmaceutical companies
- Drug development
- Regulation of therapeutic goods
External Links[edit | edit source]
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