A drug is a substance that causes changes in the chemical and biological processes in the body. This is a very general term, and thus, drugs can fit into several categories, both beneficial and harmful to human health.
Medicine is defined as a drug that is meant to prevent, diagnose, or treat a disease. Each country defines for itself how medicines are regulated. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for regulating medications.
Some medications require prescriptions from a doctor or other healthcare professional. Others are sold to anyone from a pharmacy – https://www.fda.gov/drugs/questions-answers/prescription-drugs-and-over-counter-otc-drugs-questions-and-answers. In either case, it is important to become educated about using medications safely – know about the right indication for use, the right dosage (how much active ingredient), which active ingredients are present, the risks and benefits, and possible side effects. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/resources-you/be-active-member-your-health-care-team-brochure.
The active ingredient of the medication is the one that interacts with your body so as to treat a symptom or cause of a disease, or prevent or diagnose the disease. The main effect of the drug is this specific therapeutic effect. But most drugs come with side effects – effects that are beyond that main effect. These can be mild or severe. Be sure to read the drug package or pharmacy print-out to know what to expect.
Medications can also be brand-name or generic. Generic medications are those have been developed once the active ingredient is no longer protected by a patent. This generally means that generic medications are cheaper than the brand name alternatives. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/questions-answers/generic-drugs-questions-answers
Drugs can have interactions with other drugs, with dietary supplements, and even with food. These can amplify the main effects or side effects, cancel each other out, or cause unwanted effects. They can also change how the drug is absorbed, metabolized (or broken down) and excreted out of the body. Read more here – https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/avoiding-drug-interactions. It is important to tell the doctor or pharmacist what medications (whether over the counter, or even herbal) you use regularly, to avoid interactions.
Drug are administered into the body in several ways, including orally, through injection, by inhalation and other means. https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/drugs/administration-and-kinetics-of-drugs/drug-administration
It is possible to abuse over-the-counter and prescription medications. People may also misuse these types of medications, which means using them for a purpose other than the main effect.
