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Medication




A medication, '''medicines''' or '''drug''' is any substance or combination of substances which may be used in or administered to human beings or animals with a view to treating or preventing disease or to making a medical diagnosis. Commercial medications are produced by Pharmaceutical Companies and are often Patented . Copies of former patented drugs are called Generic Drug s.


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 (ATC system).


TYPES OF MEDICATION


For the Gastrointestinal Tract or Digestive System




For the Cardiovascular System


See Also: Psychiatric medication



Hypnotic , Anaesthetics , Antipsychotic , Antidepressant (including 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 , Cannabinoids , 5-HT antagonist


For pain & consciousness ( Analgesic Drugs )


The main classes of painkillers are NSAIDs , Opioid s and various orphans such as Paracetamol , Tricyclic Antidepressant s and Anticonvulsant s.


For Musculo - Skeletal disorders

NSAID s (including COX-2 Selective Inhibitor s), Muscle Relaxant , neuromuscular drug
Anticholinesterase


For the Eye



For the ear, nose and Oropharynx

Sympathomimetic , Antihistamine , Anticholinergic , NSAID s, Steroid , Antiseptic , Local Anesthetic , Antifungal , cerumenolyti


For the Respiratory System

Bronchodilator , NSAID s, anti-allergic, Antitussive , Mucolytic , Decongestant
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



For Obstetrics And Gynecology

NSAID s, Anticholinergic , haemostatic drug, antifibrinolytic, Hormone Replacement Therapy , bone regulator, beta-receptor agonist, Follicle Stimulating Hormone , Luteinising Hormone , LHRH
Gamolenic Acid , gonadotropin release inhibitor, Progestogen , Dopamine Agonist , Oestrogen , Prostaglandin , Gonadorelin , Clomiphene , Tamoxifen , Diethylstilbestrol


For the Skin

Emollient , 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


For Immunology

Vaccine , Immunoglobulin , Immunosuppressant , Interferon , Monoclonal Antibody


For 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 Neoplastic disorders

Cytotoxic Drug , Sex Hormone s, Aromatase Inhibitor , somatostatin inhibitor, recombinant Interleukin s, G-CSF , Erythropoietin


For diagnostics

Contrast Media


For euthanasia

A euthanaticum is used for Euthanasia And Physician-assisted Suicide , see also Barbiturates .

Euthanasia is not permitted by law in many countries, and consequently medicines will not be licenesed for this use in those countries.


Legal Considerations

Medications may be divided into Over-the-counter Drug s (OTC) which may be available without special restrictions, and Prescription Only Medicine (POM), which must be prescribed by a licensed medical practitioner. The precise distinction between OTC and prescription depends on the legal Jurisdiction .

The International Narcotics Control Board of the United Nations imposes a world law of Prohibition of certain medications. They publish a lengthy list of chemicals and plants whose trade and consumption (where applicable) is forbidden. OTC medications are sold without restriction as they are considered safe enough that most people will not hurt themselves accidentally by taking it as instructed. Many countries, such as the United Kingdom have a third category of pharmacy medicines which can only be sold in registered pharmacies, by or under the supervision of a Pharmacist .


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.


SEE ALSO



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