A drug is any biological substance, synthetic or non-synthetic, that is taken primarily for

non-dietary needs. It is usually synthesized outside of an organism, but introduced into an

organism to produce its action. That is, when taken into the organism's body, it will
produce some effects or alter some bodily functions (such as relieving symptoms, curing
diseases or used as preventive medicine or any other purposes).

To many people the word "drug" primarily means "illegal recreational drugs".

Note that natural endogenous biochemicals (such as hormones) can bind to the same
receptor in the cell, producing the same effect as a drug. Thus, drug is merely an artificial
definition that distinguishes whether that molecule is synthesized within an organism or
outside an organism. For instance, insulin is a hormone that is synthesized in the body; it
is considered as a hormone when it is synthesized by the pancreas inside the body, but if
it is introduced into the body from outside, it is considered as a drug.

It is a substance which is not food,[1] and which, when ingested, affects the functioning of
the mind, or the body, or both. However, under the philosophy of Chinese medicine, food
is also considered a drug as it affects particular parts of body and cures some diseases.
Thus, food does satisfy the above definition of drug so long as ingestion of it would alter
some bodily functions.

Contents
[hide]

• 1 Medication
• 2 Recreational drugs
• 3 Legal definition of drugs
• 4 Drugs as status symbols
• 5 List of drugs
• 6 Footnotes
• 7 See also

• 8 External links

[edit] Medication
Main article: Medication

A medication is a drug taken to cure and reduce 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 the government into three categories — over the counter (OTC)
medications, which are available in pharmacies and supermarket's 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.

Most OTC medications are generally considered to be safe enough that most people will
not hurt themselves if they are taken as instructed. In UK, BTC medicine is 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 depends on the legal jurisdiction.

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 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 medications and recreational can be administered in a number of ways,

• Orally, as a liquid or solid (pill), that is absorbed through the gut.

• Inhaled, as a vapour.
• Injected as a liquid either intramuscular or intravenous.
• Rectally as a pill, that is absorbed by the colon.
• Bolus, a substance into the stomach to dissolve slowly.

Many drugs can be administered in a variety of ways.

[edit] Recreational drugs

Main article: Recreational drug use
Further information: Prohibition (drugs)

Recreational drug use is the use of psychoactive drugs for recreational purposes rather
than for work, medical or spiritual purposes. Much controversy has arisen over
recreational drug use, and governments across the world have regulated the consumption
and/or distribution of drugs in the name of fighting drug abuse, but many countries' laws
are criticized for being passed under ulterior motives or for being hypocritical. This
seems to be changing, slowly, as Canada follows the Netherlands' lead and largely
decriminalizes marijuanna.

[edit] Legal definition of drugs

Some countries also defined what a drug is by law. In the United States, the Federal
Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act defines a drug as being an article "intended for use in the
diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease in man or other animals"
or an article "(other than food) intended to affect the structure or any function of the body
of man or other animals." FDCA § 201(g)(1).
[edit] Drugs as status symbols
In most cultures, drugs are often seen as status symbols. This is true for both ancient and
modern cultures. A good example of this is in ancient Egyptian culture, in which gods
were commonly pictured holding hallucinogenic plants.[citation needed] Another good example
of this is in modern secondary schools, where teenagers often boast about their drug use,
be it real or not. A recent study from Morbidity and Mortality Weekly has shown that as
much as sixty-percent of American high school students admit to having consumed illegal
drugs at one point.[citation needed]

[edit] List of drugs

See list of drugs 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
generic names 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.

[edit] Footnotes

1. ^ Some substances, such as beers, wines, and some

fungi, are sometimes regarded as both foods and
drugs

[edit] See also

• Illegal drug trade
• Medication
• Enzyme inhibitor
• Placebo (origins of technical term)
• Prescription drug
• Psychoactive drug
• Recreational drug use
• List of songs about drugs
• Drug injection
• Discount drug card

[edit] External links

• The Cult of Pharmacology: How America Became the World's Most Troubled
Drug Culture by Richard DeGrandpre, Duke University Press, 2006.
 Major Drug Groups edit
Analgesics, Anesthetics, Anxiolytics, Antidepressants,
Brain and Nervous
Antipsychotics, Anticonvulsants, Nervous system stimulants,
System:
Antiemetics, Hallucinogens, Mood stabilizers
Respiratory System: Bronchodilators, Decongestants
Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, Antiarrhythmics,
Heart and Antianginals, Antihypertensives, Antihyperlipidemics,
Circulation: Anticoagulants, Antiplatelets, Beta blockers, Diuretics,
Thrombolytics, Vasodilators,
Gastrointestinal Antacids, Antidiarrhoeals, H2-receptor antagonists, Proton pump
Tract: inhibitors, Laxatives
Muscles, Bones, and Anti-inflammatories, Antirheumatics, Corticosteroids, Muscle
Joints: relaxants
Allergy: Antihistamines
Infections and Antibiotics, Antivirals, Vaccines, Antiprotozoals, Antifungals,
Infestations: Anthelmintics
Endocrine System: Corticosteroids, Anti-diabetics
Malignant and
Anticancer agents, Immunosuppressants
Immune Disease:
Reproductive
Oral contraceptives, Fertility agents
System:
Skin: Antipruritics
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drug"

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