Drug Index Prescription Drugs Pharmacy Drugs Over The Counter Drugs Drug Side Effects


Drug Index

Drugs or medicines, if taken correctly can be life savers – they encompass the science of healing. Medication refers to restoration of health through deterrence and treatment of illness. Contemporary medication was a historic innovation of the Persian scientist Avicenna of the Islamic Golden Age who is titled as the Father of Modern Medicine.

Drugs are targeted to provide various types of relief. They are categorized according to the ailment they treat. The following drug index will clarify some categories:

Generic drugs: antidiarrheal medicines, cough medicines, pain relief, for diabetics, vitamin and dietary supplements and the like. The generic drugs are less costly and are usually named after the chemical substance they contain. Depending on the laws of each state, pharmacists can substitute the less expensive generic drugs for various branded drugs.

Pain relievers are known as Analgesics or Pain medicines. These medicines aid in diminishing or relieving headaches, sore muscles and various other types of aches. Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines can be taken for different pains. Generally there are two main types of OTC medication – acetaminophen (like Tylenol) and the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Aspirin, naproxen and Ibuprofen. Pain relievers are a symptom-relief drug (see below) but pain relief is such a large part of the medicinal drug trade that it insists upon its own category.

Maintenance drugs are medications that are prescribed for long term conditions and are supposed to be taken on a regular basis. For example, chronic conditions like epilepsy, diabetes and high blood pressure all require maintenance drugs. Most of the maintenance drugs, according to the law, have to be taken under the advice of a doctor.

Preventive medication is taken by patients who suffer from ailments that are likely to recur. Migraine and asthma are conditions for which the patients take preventive medication. This type of medication may reduce the frequency of disease and also lessen the intensity but it doesn’t stop it from returning. Preventive medication is not used for immediate symptom relief but as a kind of maintenance drug that is proactive in helping reduce the possible future recurrence of a problem.

If symptoms suddenly appear or become worse, symptom-relief medication is supposed to be taken. Propranolol, timolol, divalproex and topiramate are generic names for migraine drugs. Clonidine and guanfacine are included in the antihypertensive medications. Symptom relief drugs aren't meant for long term maintenance but for quick intense relief of a symptom.

There are many categories of drugs and they are grouped into these categories in most stores and pharmacies for easy finding and shopping.    

Below: Medicinal drugs come in all forms including powders, liquids and syrups... but by far the most common form is the pill and capsule. They come in all shapes, sizes and colors. Most pills are compressed powder, and capsules usually contain liquid or 'beads'. Pills are mostly fast-acting, and capsules are often time-released.

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