Medicine includes any substance used to prevent, diagnose, treat, or cure disease in the human body. People have been using medicines for thousands of years, starting with plants and herbs found in nature. Today, scientists create medicines in laboratories using advanced chemistry and biology to target specific diseases and symptoms. From a simple pain reliever to a life-saving antibiotic, medicines are tools that help your body heal and stay healthy.
Different types of medicines work in different ways depending on what they are designed to do. Antibiotics fight bacterial infections by disrupting the bacteria’s ability to build cell walls or reproduce. Antivirals interfere with the way viruses copy themselves inside your cells, slowing down the infection. Analgesics, or pain relievers, work by blocking pain signals before they reach your brain, while antipyretics lower your body’s temperature set point to reduce fever.
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration, known as the FDA, is responsible for making sure all medicines are safe and effective before people can use them. New drugs must go through years of laboratory research followed by clinical trials with thousands of patients to prove they work and identify any side effects. The entire process from discovery to approval typically takes 10 or more years and costs hundreds of millions of dollars. This rigorous testing process protects people from medicines that might be harmful or ineffective.
Taking medicine safely means always following the dosage instructions on the label or from your doctor. When a doctor prescribes antibiotics, it is important to take the full course even if you start feeling better, because stopping early can allow surviving bacteria to grow back stronger. You should never take medicine prescribed for someone else, because their dose and type of medicine may not be right for your body. Always tell your doctor about any other medicines you are taking, because some drugs can interact with each other in dangerous ways.
Over-the-counter medicines, often called OTC medicines, can be bought at a pharmacy or store without a doctor’s prescription. Prescription medicines require a doctor’s written authorization because they are more powerful, carry greater risks, or need professional monitoring to use safely. Common OTC medicines include pain relievers, cough syrups, and allergy medications that treat mild, everyday symptoms. Prescription medicines treat more serious conditions and are carefully chosen by doctors based on your specific health needs.
Medicines that help adults can actually harm children if given at the same dose, which is why there are special children’s formulations for many common drugs. Acetaminophen (sold as Tylenol) and ibuprofen (sold as Advil or Motrin) are the most common OTC medicines used for children’s fever and pain. Aspirin should never be given to children under 18 years old because it has been linked to a rare but serious condition called Reye’s syndrome that can damage the brain and liver. Children’s medicine doses are calculated based on body weight, so always use the measuring device that comes with the medicine rather than a kitchen spoon.
When you swallow a pill or liquid medicine, it travels to your stomach where it begins to dissolve and break down. The medicine is then absorbed through the walls of your small intestine and enters your bloodstream, which carries it throughout your body. Your liver processes the medicine, and your kidneys eventually filter it out of your blood so it leaves your body in urine. This entire journey is why doctors tell you to take medicine at specific times, because they want to keep a steady amount of the drug in your system.
Keeping medicines safe at home is an important responsibility for every family. All medicines should be stored in their original containers with child-resistant caps and kept in a cool, dry place out of reach of young children. Expired medicines should be disposed of properly because they may not work correctly or could even become harmful over time. If someone accidentally takes too much medicine or the wrong medicine, calling Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 or 911 right away can save a life.
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