| Revision as of 18:55, 24 September 2007 view sourceAgyle (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users4,382 edits →Legal definition of drugs: Added detail on US definition; anyone know of other governments that define the term?← Previous edit | Revision as of 19:34, 24 September 2007 view source Agyle (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users4,382 edits Adjusted unref tags. Changed recreational drugs (rv'd unsourced generalization). Moved List of drugs to "See also" per talk page. Removed Controversy section as belonging in pharmaceutical company.Next edit → | ||
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| {{Portal|Pharmacy and Pharmacology}} | {{Portal|Pharmacy and Pharmacology}} | ||
| {{other}} | {{other}} | ||
| {{refimprove|date=July 2007}} | {{refimprove|date=July 2007}} | ||
| ] is the most widely used psychoactive substance in the world.{{Fact|date=September 2007}}]] | ] is the most widely used psychoactive substance in the world.{{Fact|date=September 2007}}]] | ||
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| Drugs are usually distinguished from ] biochemicals by being introduced from outside the organism.{{Fact|date=September 2007}} For example, ] is a hormone that is synthesized in the body; it is called a hormone when it is synthesized by the pancreas inside the body, but if it is introduced into the body from outside, it is called a drug.{{Fact|date=September 2007}} | Drugs are usually distinguished from ] biochemicals by being introduced from outside the organism.{{Fact|date=September 2007}} For example, ] is a hormone that is synthesized in the body; it is called a hormone when it is synthesized by the pancreas inside the body, but if it is introduced into the body from outside, it is called a drug.{{Fact|date=September 2007}} | ||
| Many natural substances such as ]s, ]s, and some ], blur the line between food and drugs, as when ingested they affect the functioning of both ] and ]. |
Many natural substances such as ]s, ]s, and some ], blur the line between food and drugs, as when ingested they affect the functioning of both ] and ]. | ||
| ==Medication== | ==Medication== | ||
| {{unreferenced|section|date=September 2007}} | |||
| {{main|Medication}} | {{main|Medication}} | ||
| A ''medication'' or ''medicine'' is a drug taken to cure and/or ameliorate any symptoms of an ] or medical condition, or may be used as ] that has future benefits but does not treat any existing or pre-existing diseases or symptoms. |
A ''medication'' or ''medicine'' is a drug taken to cure and/or ameliorate any symptoms of an ] or medical condition, or may be used as ] that has future benefits but does not treat any existing or pre-existing diseases or symptoms. | ||
| Dispensing of medication is often regulated by ] into three categories — '']'' (OTC) medications, which are available in ] and supermarkets without special restrictions, '']'' (BTC), which are dispensed by a ] without needing a doctor's prescription, and '']s'' (POM), which must be prescribed by a licensed ], usually a ].{{Fact|date=September 2007}} | Dispensing of medication is often regulated by ] into three categories — '']'' (OTC) medications, which are available in ] and supermarkets without special restrictions, '']'' (BTC), which are dispensed by a ] without needing a doctor's prescription, and '']s'' (POM), which must be prescribed by a licensed ], usually a ].{{Fact|date=September 2007}} | ||
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| In the ], BTC medicines are called ]s which can only be sold in registered pharmacies, by or under the supervision of a pharmacist.{{Fact|date=September 2007}} However, the precise distinction between OTC and prescription drugs depends on the legal ].{{Fact|date=September 2007}} | In the ], BTC medicines are called ]s which can only be sold in registered pharmacies, by or under the supervision of a pharmacist.{{Fact|date=September 2007}} However, the precise distinction between OTC and prescription drugs depends on the legal ].{{Fact|date=September 2007}} | ||
| Medications are typically produced by pharmaceutical companies and are often ]ed to give the developer exclusive rights to produce them, but they can also be derived from naturally occurring substance in plants called ].{{Fact|date=September 2007}} Those that are not patented (or with expired patents) are called ]s since they can be produced by other companies without restrictions or licenses from the patent holder. |
Medications are typically produced by pharmaceutical companies and are often ]ed to give the developer exclusive rights to produce them, but they can also be derived from naturally occurring substance in plants called ].{{Fact|date=September 2007}} Those that are not patented (or with expired patents) are called ]s since they can be produced by other companies without restrictions or licenses from the patent holder. | ||
| Drugs, both |
Drugs, both medicinal and recreational, can be administered in a number of ways: | ||
| *], as a liquid or solid, that is absorbed through the ]. | *], as a liquid or solid, that is absorbed through the ]. | ||
| *], (breathed into the lungs), as a vapor. | *], (breathed into the lungs), as a vapor. | ||
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| ==Recreation== | ==Recreation== | ||
| {{unreferenced|section|date=September 2007}} | |||
| {{main|Recreational drug use}} | {{main|Recreational drug use}} | ||
| {{Further|]}} | {{Further|]}} | ||
| ''Recreational drug use'' is the use of ]s for ]al purposes rather than |
''Recreational drug use'' is typically the use of ]s for ]al purposes rather than ] or ] purposes. Many governments across the world regulate and ban various recreational drugs, and the exact laws are often politically controversial. ] is following the ]' lead in largely decriminalizing ].{{fact|date=September 2007}} | ||
| ==Legal definition of drugs== | ==Legal definition of drugs== | ||
| Some governments define the term drug by law. In the United States, the ] definition of "drug" includes "articles intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease in man or other animals" and "articles (other than food) intended to affect the structure or any function of the body of man or other animals."<ref>] (Website.) U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Retrieved on ]-].</ref> Consistent with that definition, the U.S. separately defines narcotic drugs and controlled substances, which may include non-drugs, and explicitly excludes tobacco and alcoholic beverages.<ref>] (Website.) U.S. Department of Justice. Retrieved on ]-].</ref> | Some governments define the term drug by law. In the United States, the ] definition of "drug" includes "articles intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease in man or other animals" and "articles (other than food) intended to affect the structure or any function of the body of man or other animals."<ref>] (Website.) U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Retrieved on ]-].</ref> Consistent with that definition, the U.S. separately defines narcotic drugs and controlled substances, which may include non-drugs, and explicitly excludes tobacco and alcoholic beverages.<ref>] (Website.) U.S. Department of Justice. Retrieved on ]-].</ref> | ||
| ==List of drugs== | |||
| {{unreferenced|section|date=September 2007}} | |||
| See ] for an alphabetical list of drugs by name. Many drugs have more than one name and, therefore, the same drug may be listed more than once. Brand names and ]s are differentiated by the use of capital initials for the former. Some drugs may have slang names and may need to be accessed using those names. | |||
| ==Controversy== | |||
| Drug companies research the effects that their drugs have in clinical trials. However, a 2004 New York Times article says that some drug companies refuse to disclose the results of such testing, especially when results are poor.<ref name=NY-times-Drug-article>{{cite web | |||
| | last =MEIER | |||
| | first =BARRY | |||
| | authorlink = | |||
| | coauthors = | |||
| | title =Contracts Keep Drug Research Out of Reach | |||
| | work = | |||
| | publisher =Page 1 Business Section, New York Times | |||
| | date = 2004 Nov 29 | |||
| | url = http://64.233.179.104/translate_c?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&langpair=en%7Cen&u=http://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/29/business/29research.html%3Fex%3D1183608000%26en%3Da204185da4553ebb%26ei%3D5070&prev=/language_tools | |||
| | format = | |||
| | doi = | |||
| | accessdate = 2007-07-02 }}</ref> Such was the case when the FDA was investigating a reported increase in the rates of suicide for people given antidepressants where the effects were unknown for children. | |||
| == See also == | == See also == | ||
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| *] | *] | ||
| *] | *] | ||
| *] is an extensive alphabetical list of drugs by name. | |||
| *] | *] | ||
| *] | *] | ||
Revision as of 19:34, 24 September 2007
For other uses, see Drug (disambiguation). | This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Drug" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (July 2007) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
A drug, broadly speaking, is a substance used as a medicine or narcotic. There is no single, precise definition, as there are different meanings in medicine, government regulations, and colloquial usage.
In pharmacology, Dictionary.com defines a drug as "a chemical substance used in the treatment, cure, prevention, or diagnosis of disease or used to otherwise enhance physical or mental well-being." Drugs may be prescribed for a limited duration, or on a regular basis for chronic disorders.
Recreational drugs are chemical substances that affect the central nervous system, such as narcotics or hallucinogens. They may be used for perceived beneficial effects on perception, consciousnesss, personality, and behavior. Some recreational drugs can cause addiction and habituation.
Drugs are usually distinguished from endogenous biochemicals by being introduced from outside the organism. For example, insulin is a hormone that is synthesized in the body; it is called a hormone when it is synthesized by the pancreas inside the body, but if it is introduced into the body from outside, it is called a drug.
Many natural substances such as beers, wines, and some mushrooms, blur the line between food and drugs, as when ingested they affect the functioning of both mind and body.
Medication
Main article: MedicationA medication or medicine is a drug taken to cure and/or ameliorate any symptoms of an illness or medical condition, or may be used as preventive medicine that has future benefits but does not treat any existing or pre-existing diseases or symptoms.
Dispensing of medication is often regulated by governments into three categories — over-the-counter (OTC) medications, which are available in pharmacies and supermarkets without special restrictions, behind-the-counter (BTC), which are dispensed by a pharmacist without needing a doctor's prescription, and Prescription only medicines (POM), which must be prescribed by a licensed medical professional, usually a physician.
In the UK, BTC medicines are called pharmacy medicines which can only be sold in registered pharmacies, by or under the supervision of a pharmacist. However, the precise distinction between OTC and prescription drugs depends on the legal jurisdiction.
Medications are typically produced by pharmaceutical companies and are often patented to give the developer exclusive rights to produce them, but they can also be derived from naturally occurring substance in plants called herbal medicine. Those that are not patented (or with expired patents) are called generic drugs since they can be produced by other companies without restrictions or licenses from the patent holder.
Drugs, both medicinal and recreational, can be administered in a number of ways:
- Orally, as a liquid or solid, that is absorbed through the stomach.
- Inhaled, (breathed into the lungs), as a vapor.
- Injected as a liquid either intramuscular or intravenous (put under the skin, into a vein or muscle tissue with the use of a hypodermic needle).
- Rectally as a suppository, that is absorbed by the colon.
- Vaginally as a suppository, primarily to treat vaginal infections.
- Bolus, a substance into the stomach to dissolve slowly.
Many drugs can be administered in a variety of ways.
Recreation
Main article: Recreational drug use Further information: ]Recreational drug use is typically the use of psychoactive drugs for recreational purposes rather than medical or spiritual purposes. Many governments across the world regulate and ban various recreational drugs, and the exact laws are often politically controversial. Canada is following the Netherlands' lead in largely decriminalizing marijuana.
Legal definition of drugs
Some governments define the term drug by law. In the United States, the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act definition of "drug" includes "articles intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease in man or other animals" and "articles (other than food) intended to affect the structure or any function of the body of man or other animals." Consistent with that definition, the U.S. separately defines narcotic drugs and controlled substances, which may include non-drugs, and explicitly excludes tobacco and alcoholic beverages.
See also
- Drug abuse
- Drug addiction
- Drug development
- Drug injection
- Narcotics
- Enzyme inhibitor
- Generic drug
- Illegal drug trade
- Lifestyle drug
- List of drugs is an extensive alphabetical list of drugs by name.
- Medication
- Placebo (origins of technical term)
- Prescription drug
- Psychedelic plants
- Psychoactive drug
- Recreational drug use
- The Yogurt Connection
References
- "Drug." WordNet 3.0, Princeton University, via dictionary.com. Retrieved on 2007-09-20.
- ^ "Drug." Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1), Random House, Inc., via dictionary.com. Retrieved on 2007-09-20.
- ^ "Drug." The American Heritage Science Dictionary, Houghton Mifflin Company, via dictionary.com. Retrieved on 2007-09-20.
- ^ "Drug." Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, Inc., via dictionary.com. Retrieved on 2007-09-20.
- (Website.) U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Retrieved on 2007-09-24.
- "21 USC Sec. 802."] (Website.) U.S. Department of Justice. Retrieved on 2007-09-24.
External links
- Get rid of drugs. Drug Addiction Treatment Useful resource website with detailed information on drugs and how to treat drug addiction. "Say NO to drugs" May 4 2007
- The Cult of Pharmacology: How America Became the World's Most Troubled Drug Culture by Richard DeGrandpre, Duke University Press, 2006.
- 'don't drug + drive' German web-site providing information on the influence of recreational drugs in driving.
| Major chemical drug groups – based upon the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification System | |
|---|---|
| gastrointestinal tract / metabolism (A) | |
| blood and blood forming organs (B) | |
| cardiovascular system (C) | |
| skin (D) | |
| genitourinary system (G) | |
| endocrine system (H) | |
| infections and infestations (J, P, QI) | |
| malignant disease (L01–L02) | |
| immune disease (L03–L04) | |
| muscles, bones, and joints (M) | |
| brain and nervous system (N) |
|
| respiratory system (R) | |
| sensory organs (S) | |
| other ATC (V) | |
