Medication

Substance used to diagnose, cure, treat, or prevent disease

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Packages of medication (tilidin)

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Other names	Medicine, drug, pharmaceutical, pharmaceutical preparation, pharmaceutical product, medicinal product, medicament, remedy
Medical specialty
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Medication

An example of a medication is a prescription drug.

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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. 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

Main articles: Drug discovery and Drug development

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

Main article: Route of administration

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

Medications are classified based on therapeutic use:

1. For Pain and Fever

• Analgesics – Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, Morphine.
• Antipyretics – Reduce fever, e.g., Aspirin, Acetaminophen.

2. For Infections

• 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

• 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)

• 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

• Insulin – Treats diabetes.
• Thyroid hormones – Treats hypothyroidism, e.g., Levothyroxine.
• Oral contraceptives – Birth control pills.

6. For Respiratory Conditions

• Bronchodilators – Treat asthma and COPD, e.g., Salbutamol.
• Antihistamines – Treat allergies, e.g., Loratadine, Cetirizine.

7. For Gastrointestinal Disorders

• Antacids – Neutralize stomach acid, e.g., Omeprazole, Ranitidine.
• Laxatives – Relieve constipation, e.g., Psyllium.
• Antiemetics – Prevent nausea, e.g., Ondansetron.

Medication Regulation

Main article: Regulation of therapeutic goods

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

Main articles: Prescription costs and Pharmacoeconomics

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

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

Main article: History of pharmacy

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

• Pharmacology
• Prescription drug
• Over-the-counter drug
• List of pharmaceutical companies
• Drug development
• Regulation of therapeutic goods

External Links

• WHO Model List of Essential Medicines
• U.S. FDA Drugs Portal
• European Medicines Agency

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