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Medications and drugs are substances used to diagnose, treat, prevent disease, relieve symptoms, or alter physiological functions. They can be natural, synthetic, or biologic, and are studied in pharmacology to determine their safety and effectiveness through testing and clinical trials.

They are commonly categorized as prescription medicines, which require a clinician’s authorization, and over-the-counter medicines, which can be obtained without a prescription. Other classifications include therapeutic use (for example analgesics, antibiotics, or antidepressants), mechanism of action (how they produce effects at targets in the body), and pharmacokinetic properties (how they are absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted). Medications also come in various dosage forms such as tablets, capsules, injections, topical creams, and inhalers.

Regulation and safety are central to the use of medications. Regulatory agencies evaluate quality, safety, and efficacy before a product reaches the market. Patients should consider potential adverse effects, interactions with other medicines or foods, and contraindications. Providing a complete medical history, including allergies and current medications, helps reduce risk. Unsupervised or inappropriate use can be harmful.

Pharmacology covers how drugs work (pharmacodynamics) and how the body handles them (pharmacokinetics). Dosing, route of administration, and monitoring influence effectiveness and safety. Common considerations include adherence to prescribed schedules, awareness of possible interactions, and appropriate storage and disposal.

Examples of common medication classes include analgesics such as acetaminophen, antibiotics like amoxicillin, antihypertensives such as lisinopril, and insulin for diabetes. Vaccines are preventive medicines that stimulate immune protection. Overall, medications play a vital role in modern health care when used appropriately under professional guidance.