Medication: Difference between revisions

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A '''medication''' is a licensed [[drug]] taken to cure or reduce symptoms of an [[illness]] or medical condition. Medications are typically produced by pharmaceutical companies and are often [[patent|patented]] to protect their exclusive rights to produce them, but they can also be derived from naturally occurring substances in plants called [[herbal medicine]]. Those that are not patented (or with expired patents) are called [[generic drug]]s since they can be produced by other companies without restrictions or licenses from the patent holder.
A '''medication''' is a licensed [[drug]] taken to cure or reduce symptoms of an [[illness]] or medical condition. Medications are typically produced by pharmaceutical companies and are often [[patent|patented]] to protect their exclusive rights to produce them, but they can also be derived from naturally occurring substances in plants called [[herbal medicine]]. Those that are not patented (or with expired patents) are called [[generic drug]]s since they can be produced by other companies without restrictions or licenses from the patent holder.
[[Zoopharmacognosy]] is animal usage of drugs and non-foods.


== Classification ==
== Classification ==
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==Polypharmacy==
==Polypharmacy==
{{main|Polypharmacy}}
{{main|Polypharmacy}}
[[Polypharmacy]]: suggests that multiple use  of prescribed and non-prescribed medications, (use of 5 or more), can have adverse effects on the recipient.
==Drug toxicity==
==Drug toxicity==
{{main|Drug toxicity}}
{{main|Drug toxicity}}
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Many drugs, but not [[epinephrine]] in ''EpiPen'', may be effective after their expiration date.<ref>Anonymous (2009) [http://www.medicalletter.org/restricted/articles/w1327d.html Drugs Past Their Expiration Date] The Medical Letter</ref>
Many drugs, but not [[epinephrine]] in ''EpiPen'', may be effective after their expiration date.<ref>Anonymous (2009) [http://www.medicalletter.org/restricted/articles/w1327d.html Drugs Past Their Expiration Date] The Medical Letter</ref>


== Types of medication ==
==References==
=== For the [[gastrointestinal tract]] or [[digestive system]] ===
<references/>
 
* Upper digestive tract: [[antacid]]s, [[reflux suppressant]]s, [[antiflatulent]]s, [[antidopaminergic]]s, [[proton pump inhibitor]]s, [[H2-receptor antagonist]]s, [[cytoprotectant]]s, [[prostaglandin analogue]]s
* Lower digestive tract: [[laxative]]s, [[antispasmodic]]s, [[antidiarrhoeal]]s, [[bile acid sequestrant]]s, [[opioid]]s
 
=== For the [[cardiovascular system]] ===
 
* General: [[beta-receptor blocker]], [[calcium channel blocker]]s, [[diuretic]]s, [[cardiac glycoside]]s, [[antiarrhythmic]]s, [[nitrate]], [[antianginal]]s, [[vasoconstrictor]], [[vasodilator]], peripheral activator
* Affecting [[Antihypertensive|Blood pressure]]: [[ACE inhibitor]]s, [[Angiotensin II receptor antagonist|angiotensin receptor blockers]], [[alpha blocker]]
* Coagulation: [[anticoagulant]], [[heparin]], [[antiplatelet drug]], [[fibrinolytic]], [[Factor VIII|anti-hemophilic factor]], haemostatic drugs
* Atherosclerosis/cholesterol agents: [[hypolipidaemic agent]]s, [[statin]]s.
=== For the [[central nervous system]] ===
{{see also|Psychoactive drug}}
 
[[hypnotic]], [[anaesthetics]], [[antipsychotic]], [[antidepressant]] (including [[tricyclics|tricyclic antidepressants]], [[monoamine oxidase inhibitor]], [[lithium salt]], [[selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor]]), [[anti-emetic]], [[anticonvulsant]] and [[antiepileptic]], [[anxiolytic]], [[barbiturate]], movement disorder drug, [[stimulant]] (including [[amphetamine]]s), [[benzodiazepine]], cyclopyrrolone, [[dopamine antagonist]], [[antihistamine]], [[cholinergic]], [[anticholinergic]], [[emetic]], [[cannabinoid]]s, 5-HT antagonist
 
=== For pain & consciousness ([[analgesic drugs]]) ===
{{further|[[Analgesic]]}}
 
The main classes of painkillers are [[NSAIDs]], [[opioid]]s and various orphans such as [[paracetamol]], [[tricyclic antidepressant]]s and [[anticonvulsant]]s.
 
=== For [[Muscular system|musculo]]-[[Skeleton|skeletal]] disorders ===
 
[[NSAID]]s (including [[COX-2 selective inhibitor]]s), [[muscle relaxant]], neuromuscular drug<br> [[anticholinesterase]]
 
=== For the [[eye]] ===
 
* General: adrenergic neurone blocker, [[astringent]], ocular lubricant
* Diagnostic:  [[topical anesthetic]]s, [[sympathomimetic]]s, [[parasympatholytic]]s, [[mydriatic]]s, [[cycloplegic]]s
* Anti-bacterial:  [[antibiotic]]s, [[topical antibiotic]]s, [[sulfa drugs]], [[aminoglycosides]], [[fluoroquinolones]]
* Anti-viral:
* Anti-fungal: [[imidazole]]s, [[polyene]]s
* Anti-inflammatory:  [[NSAID]]s, [[corticosteroids]]
* Anti-allergy:  [[mast cell|mast cell inhibitors]]
* Anti-glaucoma:  adrenergic agonists, [[beta-blocker]]s, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors/[[hyperosmotic]]s, [[cholinergic]]s, [[miotic]]s, [[parasympathomimetic]]s, prostaglandin agonists/prostaglandin inhibitors.  [[nitroglycerin]]
 
=== For the ear, nose and [[oropharynx]] ===
 
[[sympathomimetic]], [[antihistamine]], [[anticholinergic]], [[NSAID]]s, [[steroid]], [[antiseptic]], [[local anesthetic]], [[antifungal]], cerumenolytic
 
=== For the [[respiratory system]] ===
 
[[bronchodilator]], [[NSAID]]s, anti-allergic, [[antitussive]], [[mucolytic]], [[decongestant]]<br>[[corticosteroid]], [[beta-receptor antagonist]], [[anticholinergic]], [[steroid]]
 
=== For [[endocrine]] problems ===
 
[[androgen]], [[antiandrogen]], [[gonadotropin]], [[corticosteroid]], [[growth hormone]], [[insulin]], [[antidiabetic]] ([[sulfonylurea]], [[biguanide]]/[[metformin]], [[thiazolidinedione]], [[insulin]]), [[thyroid hormone]]s, antithyroid drugs, [[calcitonin]], [[diphosponate]], [[vasopressin analogue]]s
 
=== For the [[reproductive system]] or [[urinary system]] ===
 
[[antifungal]], alkalising agent, [[quinolones]], [[antibiotic]], [[cholinergic]], [[anticholinergic]], [[anticholinesterase]], [[antispasmodic]], 5-alpha reductase inhibitor, selective alpha-1 blocker, [[sildenafil]]
 
=== For [[contraception]] ===
 
[[contraceptive]], [[oral contraceptives]], [[spermicide]], depot contraceptives
 
=== For [[obstetrics and gynaecology]] ===
 
[[NSAID]]s, [[anticholinergic]], haemostatic drug, antifibrinolytic, [[Hormone Replacement Therapy]], bone regulator, beta-receptor agonist, [[follicle stimulating hormone]], [[luteinising hormone]], [[LHRH]]<br> [[gamolenic acid]], gonadotropin release inhibitor, [[progestogen]], [[dopamine agonist]], [[estrogen|oestrogen]], [[prostaglandin]], [[gonadorelin]], [[clomiphene]], [[tamoxifen]], [[Diethylstilbestrol]]
 
=== For the [[skin]] ===
 
[[emollient]], [[antipruritic|anti-pruritic]], [[antifungal]], [[disinfectant]], scabicide, pediculicide, tar products, [[vitamin A derivatives]], [[vitamin D analogue]], [[keratolytic]], [[abrasive]], [[systemic antibiotic]], [[topical]] [[antibiotic]], [[hormone]]s, desloughing agent, exudate absorbent, [[fibrinolytic]], [[proteolytic]], [[sunscreen]], [[antiperspirant]], [[corticosteroid]]
 
=== For infections and infestations ===
 
[[antibiotic]], [[antifungal]], antileprotic, antituberculous drug, antimalarial, [[anthelmintic]], amoebicide, [[antiviral]], [[antiprotozoal agent|antiprotozoal]], [[antiserum]]
 
=== For [[immunology]] ===
 
[[vaccine]], [[immunoglobulin]], [[immunosuppressant]], [[interferon]], [[monoclonal antibody]]
 
=== For [[Allergy|allergic]] disorders ===
 
anti-allergic, [[antihistamine]], [[NSAID]]s
 
=== For nutrition ===
 
tonic, iron preparation, [[electrolyte]], parenteral nutritional supplement, [[vitamin]]s, [[anti-obesity drug]], anabolic drug, haematopoietic drug, food product drug
 
=== For [[Neoplasia|neoplastic]] disorders ===
 
[[cytotoxic drug]], [[sex hormone]]s, [[aromatase inhibitor]], somatostatin inhibitor, recombinant [[interleukin]]s,  [[Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor|G-CSF]], [[erythropoietin]]
 
=== For diagnostics ===
 
[[contrast media]]
 
=== For euthanasia ===
 
A euthanaticum is used for [[euthanasia|euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide]], see also [[Barbiturate#Other non-therapeutical use|barbiturates]].
 
=== Other/related topics ===
 
[[Polypharmacy]]: suggests that multiple use  of prescribed and non-prescribed medications, (use of 5 or more), can have adverse effects on the recipient.
 
[[Zoopharmacognosy]]: Animal usage of drugs and non-foods.

Revision as of 07:10, 21 October 2010

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A medication is a licensed drug taken to cure or reduce symptoms of an illness or medical condition. Medications are typically produced by pharmaceutical companies and are often patented to protect their exclusive rights to produce them, but they can also be derived from naturally occurring substances 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.

Zoopharmacognosy is animal usage of drugs and non-foods.

Classification

Medication can be usually classified in various ways, e.g. by its chemical properties, mode of administration, or biological system affected. An elaborate and widely used classification system is the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification System.

Regulation

Medications are generally divided into groups by the United States and similar laws.

Over-the-counter drug

Over-the-counter drug (OTC) medications, which are available in pharmacies and supermarkets without special restrictions

Behind the counter

Behind the counter (BTC) are dispensed by a pharmacist without needing a doctor's prescription,

Prescribed drugs

Prescription only medicines (POM), which must be prescribed by a physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or dentist. These medications are approved by national entities such as the Food and Drug Administration in the United States or by international entities such as the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) of the European Union and United Kingdom’s Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency.

Proscribed drugs

The International Narcotics Control Board of the United Nations imposes a world law of prohibition or censorship of certain medications. They publish a lengthy list of chemicals and plants whose trade and consumption (where applicable) is forbidden. Most OTC medication is generally considered to be safe enough that most persons will not hurt themselves accidentally by taking it as instructed. Many countries, such as the UK have a third category of 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 depends on the legal jurisdiction.

Medication information for consumers

Medication guides, or labels are given by the pharmacist with every prescription. It generally includes description, clinical pharmacology (pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics), clinical trials, indications and usage, contraindications, warnings, precautions, adverse reactions, dosage and administration, overdosage, how supplied, storage, revision date and manufacturer and distributor.

United States Food and Drug Administration approved labels

European Union

United Kingdom

Compliance with taking medications

For more information, see: Patient compliance.


Polypharmacy

For more information, see: Polypharmacy.

Polypharmacy: suggests that multiple use of prescribed and non-prescribed medications, (use of 5 or more), can have adverse effects on the recipient.

Drug toxicity

For more information, see: Drug toxicity.

Unfortunately, drugs may also cause drug toxicity (also called adverse drug reaction or adverse drug event).

Storage and expiration date

Many drugs, but not epinephrine in EpiPen, may be effective after their expiration date.[1]

References

  1. Anonymous (2009) Drugs Past Their Expiration Date The Medical Letter