Medication

A medication is a licenced drug taken to cure or reduce symptoms of an illness or medical condition. Medications are generally divided into two groups -- over the counter (OTC) medications, which are available in pharmacies and supermarkets without special restrictions, and Prescription only medicines (POM), which must be prescribed by a physician. Most OTC medication is generally considered to be safe enough that most persons will not hurt themselves accidentally by taking it as instructed. However, the precise distinction between OTC and prescription depends on the legal jurisdiction.

Medications are typically produced by pharmaceutical companies and are often patented. Those that are not patented are called generic drugs.

Some common medications

• Anti-diabetic drugs
• Asthma medication
• Cough medicine
• Diarrhea relief medicine (such as Loperamide)
• Nasal spray (such as Xylometazoline)
• Anti-Inflammatory Medications
• Anti-Pyretic Medications
• Gastrointestinal Medications
• Psychiatric Medications
• Hair Medications

See also

• Pharmacology
• Herbology
• Herbalism

External links

• Medication list or vademecum
• American Chronic Pain Association (ACPA)
• Consumer drug information from the FDA
• Medicinal directory