prescription drug
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: A prescription drug is a pharmaceutical medicine that can only be legally obtained with a written order (a prescription) from a licensed healthcare professional, such as a doctor or dentist, to a pharmacist. This contrasts with over-the-counter drugs, which can be purchased without a prescription.
Usage
This term is used to refer to medications whose use is controlled due to their potential for harm, abuse, or the necessity for professional supervision regarding dosage and administration.
Examples
- The doctor said this infection requires a prescription drug; I cannot buy it at the store.
- Always follow the instructions carefully when taking a prescription drug.
- Insurance plans often have different coverage rules for prescription drugs and over-the-counter products.
Advanced Usage
- "To be on prescription drugs": This phrase describes the state of regularly taking one or more medications that require a prescription.
- After his surgery, he was on several prescription drugs for pain management.
Variants and Related Words
- Prescription (n): The written order itself from a healthcare provider authorizing a patient to be issued a medicine.
- I need to take this prescription to the pharmacy.
- Prescription medicine (n): A synonymous term for "prescription drug."
- Rx drug (n): An informal abbreviation, where "Rx" is the traditional symbol for a medical prescription.
Synonyms
- Ethical drug
- Legend drug (primarily a legal/regulatory term in the United States)
Antonyms
- Over-the-counter drug (OTC drug)
- Non-prescription drug
Noun
- a drug that is available only with written instructions from a doctor or dentist to a pharmacist
- he told the doctor that he had been taking his prescription regularly