Types of Medicine

Types of Medicine
Medicines are chemicals or compounds that can be used to cure newsonexpress, halt, or ease
symptoms; treat or prevent disease; or help diagnose a health problem. They are
often given in combination with other treatments. They can also be used to replace
missing natural substances or correct low levels of some hormones or vitamins in the
body.

Medications can be prescribed by doctors, or taken as over-the-counter (OTC) drugs.
Prescription medicines are generally stronger and have more serious side effects

than OTC drugs. They can also be abused and lead to harm both short and long-
term.

There are many different types of medicines available to treat and prevent diseases,
but most are grouped together by medical experts and healthcare professionals into
categories or “classes.” This helps patients understand what they’re taking and
makes it easier for doctors to prescribe the best treatment for their patient.
Some drugs are categorized based on their use, such as finasteride which is used to
treat enlarged prostate and regrow hair. Others are classified based on the way they
affect a specific organ or system in the body.
Drugs can be categorized according to the way they affect the central nervous
system or the immune system. Some can change the way your brain works, while
others have a direct effect on parts of the immune system that control how well your
body fights disease.
Other types of medications can have a range of other effects on the body, such as
suppressing the growth of certain cells or controlling a disease-causing virus. Other
medicines can help you recover from an injury, improve your mood, or reduce pain.
They may be taken by mouth, by injection into the skin or by suppositories – small
tubes that are inserted under the tongue to deliver medicine to the body’s cells.
Some of these drugs are designed to work only in the affected area or on certain
cells, such as a hormone that helps the body’s immune system to attack cancer
cells.

For example, a medicine called a corticosteroid can be used to treat rheumatoid
arthritis and asthma. It also is used to control the growth of certain cancer cells.
The main difference between prescription and OTC medicines is that prescription
drugs must be taken under the supervision of a doctor, while over-the-counter
medicines can be bought without a prescription. Some over-the-counter medicines
can have a lot of side effects, so people are advised to consult with their doctor
before taking them.
Some over-the-counter medicines can be dangerous if used with other drugs,
alcohol or in high doses. They can cause addiction or even death in some people.
Another important distinction between OTC and prescription medicines is that some
prescription medicines have to be prescribed by a doctor, while over-the-counter
ones can be purchased without a prescription from pharmacies or other retailers. It’s
important to ask your doctor about any complementary medicines you might be
taking, as some can interact with the active ingredients of prescription drugs.