drug

/drəg/

/drəg/

Other forms: drugs; drugged; drugging

A drug is a medicine. Before you travel to India, your doctor may prescribe a drug to protect you from getting malaria.

A substance that makes a change in your body is a drug. Most often, a drug is medicine prescribed by a doctor to protect a patient from illness, cure them, or relieve their pain. Drug also means an illegal substance taken simply for the way it makes the user feel. Drug is also a verb that describes both taking illegal drugs and giving someone a drug secretly, such as slipping it into their food or drink.

Definitions of drug

1. noun

   a substance that is used as a medicine or narcotic
   types:

   aborticide, abortifacient, abortion-inducing drug

   a drug (or other chemical agent) that causes abortion

   agonist

   (biochemistry) a drug that can combine with a receptor on a cell to produce a physiological reaction

   anaesthetic, anaesthetic agent, anesthesia, anesthetic, anesthetic agent

   a drug that causes temporary loss of bodily sensations

   antagonist

   a drug that neutralizes or counteracts the effects of another drug

   antisyphilitic

   a drug (or other chemical agent) that is effective against syphilis

   anti-TNF compound

   a class of drugs that block the action of tumor necrosis factor (TNF); used in cases of rheumatoid arthritis because TNF instigates inflammation of the joints

   botanical

   a drug made from part of a plant (as the bark or root or leaves)

   brand-name drug, proprietary drug

   a drug that has a trade name and is protected by a patent (can be produced and sold only by the company holding the patent)

   controlled substance

   a drug or chemical substance whose possession and use are controlled by law

   dilator

   a drug that causes dilation

   diuretic, diuretic drug, water pill

   any substance that tends to increase the flow of urine, which causes the body to get rid of excess water

   drug of abuse, street drug

   a drug that is taken for nonmedicinal reasons (usually for mind-altering effects); drug abuse can lead to physical and mental damage and (with some substances) dependence and addiction

   Feosol

   trade name of a drug rich in iron; used to treat some kinds of anemia

   Fergon

   trade name of a drug rich in iron; used to treat some types of anemia

   fertility drug

   a drug used to increase a woman's fertility

   generic drug

   when the patent protection for a brand-name drug expires generic versions of the drug can be offered for sale if the FDA agrees

   intoxicant

   a drug that can produce a state of intoxication

   Lorfan, levallorphan

   drug (trade name Lorfan) that is related to morphine but that counteracts the respiratory depression produced by morphine poisoning but without affecting its analgesic effects

   medicament, medication, medicinal drug, medicine

   (medicine) something that treats or prevents or alleviates the symptoms of disease

   miotic, miotic drug, myotic, myotic drug

   a drug that causes miosis (constriction of the pupil of the eye)

   mydriatic, mydriatic drug

   a drug that causes the pupil of the eye to dilate; used to aid eye examinations

   narcotic

   a drug that produces numbness or stupor; often taken for pleasure or to reduce pain; extensive use can lead to addiction

   Trental, pentoxifylline

   a drug (trade name Trental) used to treat claudication; believed to increase the flexibility of red blood cells so they can flow through the blood vessels to the legs and feet

   consciousness-altering drug, mind-altering drug, psychoactive drug, psychoactive substance

   a drug that can produce mood changes and distorted perceptions

   psychotropic agent

   a chemical substance that can influence human consciousness

   relaxant

   a drug that relaxes and relieves tension

   hypnotic, soporific

   a drug that induces sleep

   excitant, stimulant, stimulant drug

   a drug that temporarily quickens some vital process

   appetite suppressant, suppressant

   a drug that suppresses appetite

   synergist

   a drug that augments the activity of another drug

   anti-impotence drug, virility drug

   drug to treat impotence attributable to erectile dysfunction

   arsenical

   a pesticide or drug containing arsenic

   RU 486, abortion pill, mifepristone

   an abortion-inducing drug (trade name RU_486) developed in France; when taken during the first five weeks of pregnancy it blocks the action of progesterone so that the uterus sloughs off the embryo

   Zovirax, acyclovir

   an oral antiviral drug (trade name Zovirax) used to treat genital herpes; does not cure the disease but relieves the symptoms

   Fosamax, alendronate

   a tablet (trade name Fosamax) prescribed to prevent or treat osteoporosis in women after menopause

   Zyloprim, allopurinol

   a drug (trade name Zyloprim) used to treat gout and other conditions in which there is an excessive buildup of uric acid

   Inocor, amrinone

   a drug (trade name Inocor) used intravenously in heart failure; increases strength of contraction of myocardium

   analeptic

   a medication used as a stimulant to the central nervous system

   analgesic, anodyne, pain pill, painkiller

   a medicine used to relieve pain

   angiogenesis inhibitor

   a drug that is designed to prevent the growth of blood vessels that nourish tumors

   antiarrhythmic, antiarrhythmic drug, antiarrhythmic medication

   a drug used to treat an abnormal heart rhythm

   antibacterial, antibacterial drug, bactericide

   any drug that destroys bacteria or inhibits their growth

   anticholinergic, anticholinergic drug

   a substance that opposes or blocks the action of acetylcholine

   anticholinesterase

   a medicine that inhibits cholinesterase by combining with it and so has a cholinergic effect

   anticoagulant, anticoagulant medication, decoagulant

   medicine that prevents or retards the clotting of blood

   anticonvulsant, anticonvulsant drug, antiepileptic, antiepileptic drug

   a drug used to treat or prevent convulsions (as in epilepsy)

   antidepressant, antidepressant drug

   any of a class of drugs used to treat depression; often have undesirable side effects

   antidiabetic, antidiabetic drug

   a drug used to treat diabetes mellitus

   antidiarrheal, antidiarrheal drug

   a drug used to control or stop diarrhea

   antidiuretic, antidiuretic drug

   a drug that limits the formation of urine

   antiemetic, antiemetic drug

   a drug that prevents or alleviates nausea and vomiting

   antihistamine

   a medicine used to treat allergies and hypersensitive reactions and colds; works by counteracting the effects of histamine on a receptor site

   antihypertensive, antihypertensive drug

   a drug that reduces high blood pressure

   anti-inflammatory, anti-inflammatory drug

   a medicine intended to reduce inflammation

   antiprotozoal, antiprotozoal drug

   a medicinal drug used to fight diseases (like malaria) that are caused by protozoa

   antipyretic, febrifuge

   any medicine that lowers body temperature to prevent or alleviate fever

   antiseptic

   a substance that destroys microorganisms that carry disease without harming body tissues

   antispasmodic, antispasmodic agent, spasmolytic

   a drug used to relieve or prevent spasms (especially of the smooth muscles)

   antitussive

   any medicine used to suppress or relieve coughing

   antiviral, antiviral agent, antiviral drug

   any drug that destroys viruses

   APC

   a drug combination found in some over-the-counter headache remedies (aspirin and phenacetin and caffeine)

   aphrodisiac

   a drug or other agent that stimulates sexual desire

   astringent, astringent drug, styptic

   a drug that causes contraction of body tissues and canals

   atomic cocktail

   an oral dose of radioactive substance used in treatment and diagnosis of cancer

   atropine

   a poisonous crystalline alkaloid extracted from the nightshade family; used as an antispasmodic and to dilate the eye pupil; also administered in large amounts as an antidote for organophosphate nerve agents or organophosphate insecticides

   Imuran, azathioprine

   an immunosuppressive drug (trade name Imuran) used to prevent rejection of a transplanted organ

   blocker, blocking agent

   a class of drugs that inhibit (block) some biological process

   bronchodilator

   a drug that relaxes and dilates the bronchial passageways and improves the passages of air into the lungs

   butyl nitrite, isobutyl nitrite

   a colorless pungent liquid sometimes used as a stimulant drug by drug abusers

   calcium blocker, calcium-channel blocker

   any of a class of drugs that block the flow of the electrolyte calcium (either in nerve cell conduction or smooth muscle contraction of the heart); has been used in the treatment of angina or arrhythmia or hypertension or migraine

   cannabis, ganja, marihuana, marijuana

   the most commonly used illicit drug; considered a soft drug, it consists of the dried leaves of the hemp plant; smoked or chewed for euphoric effect

   carminative

   medication that prevents the formation of gas in the alimentary tract or eases its passing

   Hygroton, Thalidone, chlorthalidone

   a diuretic (trade names Hygroton and Thalidone) used to control hypertension and conditions that cause edema; effective in lowering blood pressure to prevent heart attacks

   Atromid-S, clofibrate

   a drug (trade name Atromid-S) that reduces lipids in the blood serum; used to treat some cardiovascular diseases

   Clomid, clomiphene, clomiphene citrate

   a fertility drug (trade name Clomid) that is used to stimulate ovulation and that has been associated with multiple births

   Plavix, clopidogrel bisulfate

   a blood thinner (trade name Plavix) approved for the treatment of mild heart attacks; works by preventing blood platelets from sticking together to form clots that would restrict blood flow

   club drug

   a controlled substance that is usually taken by young people at dance clubs and raves

   cold medicine

   medicine intended to relieve the symptoms of the common cold

   counterirritant

   a medicine applied locally to produce superficial inflammation in order to reduce deeper inflammation

   cytotoxic drug

   any drug that has a toxic effect on cells; commonly used in chemotherapy to inhibit the proliferation of cancerous cells

   decongestant

   a drug that decreases pulmonary congestion

   demulcent

   a medication (in the form of an oil or salve etc.) that soothes inflamed or injured skin

   designer drug

   a psychoactive drug deliberately synthesized to avoid anti-drug laws; mimics the effects of a banned drug; law was revised in 1986 to ban designer drugs

   diaphoretic

   used to produce perspiration

   Antabuse, disulfiram

   a drug (trade name Antabuse) used in the treatment of alcoholism; causes nausea and vomiting if alcohol is ingested

   dosage, dose

   a measured portion of medicine taken at any one time

   Drixoral

   the trade name for a drug used to treat upper respiratory congestion; it contains an antihistamine and a bronchodilator and a vasoconstrictor

   dronabinol

   psychoactive substance present in marijuana; used therapeutically to control nausea associated with cancer therapy

   HAART, drug cocktail, highly active antiretroviral therapy

   a combination of protease inhibitors taken with reverse transcriptase inhibitors; used in treating AIDS and HIV

   estrogen antagonist, tamoxifen

   an antagonist for estrogen that is used in the treatment of breast cancer

   Enbrel, etanercept

   a genetically engineered anti-TNF compound (trade name Enbrel) consisting of receptors that bind TNF; it is injected twice a week in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

   Edecrin, ethacrynic acid

   diuretic (trade name Edecrin) used to treat edema

   euphoriant

   a psychoactive drug that tends to produce elation and euphoria

   expectorant, expectorator

   a medicine promoting expectoration

   fixed-combination drug

   drug containing fixed amounts of two or more ingredients

   Lasix, furosemide

   commonly used diuretic (trade name Lasix) used to treat hypertension and edema

   gateway drug

   a habit-forming drug that is not addictive but its use may lead to the use of other addictive drugs

   Lopid, gemfibrozil

   medication (trade name Lopid) used to lower the levels of triglyceride in the blood

   general anaesthetic, general anesthetic

   an anesthetic that anesthetizes the entire body and causes loss of consciousness

   hallucinogen, hallucinogenic drug, psychedelic drug, psychodelic drug

   a psychoactive drug that induces hallucinations or altered sensory experiences

   hard drug

   a narcotic that is considered relatively strong and likely to cause addiction

   haematinic, hematinic

   a medicine that increases the hemoglobin content of the blood; used to treat iron-deficiency anemia

   herbal medicine

   a medicine made from plants and used to prevent or treat disease or promote health

   histamine blocker

   a medicine used to treat the gastric effects of histamine in cases of peptic ulcers and gastritis and gastroesophageal reflux; works by blocking the effects of histamine on the receptor site known as H2

   immune suppressant drug, immunosuppressant, immunosuppressive, immunosuppressive drug, immunosuppressor

   a drug that lowers the body's normal immune response

   Lozal, indapamide

   diuretic (trade name Lozal) used in the treatment of hypertension

   Remicade, infliximab

   an anti-TNF compound (trade name Remicade) consisting of an antibody directed against TNF; it is given intravenously at one-month to three-month intervals; used in treatment of regional enteritis and rheumatoid arthritis

   inhalant, inhalation

   a medication to be taken by inhaling it

   intravenous anesthetic

   an anesthetic that produces anesthesia when injected into the circulatory system

   Isuprel, isoproterenol

   drug (trade name Isuprel) used to treat bronchial asthma and to stimulate the heart

   Isordil, isosorbide

   drug (trade name Isordil) used to treat angina pectoris and congestive heart failure

   African tea, Arabian tea, cat, kat, khat, qat, quat

   the leaves of the shrub Catha edulis which are chewed like tobacco or used to make tea; has the effect of a euphoric stimulant

   Arava, leflunomide

   an anti-TNF compound (trade name Arava) that is given orally; can slow the progression of rheumatoid arthritis by slowing the proliferation of white blood cells which reduces inflammation in the synovium

   lipid-lowering medication, lipid-lowering medicine, statin, statin drug

   a medicine that lowers blood cholesterol levels by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase

   local, local anaesthetic, local anesthetic, topical anaesthetic, topical anesthetic

   anesthetic that numbs a particular area of the body

   Osmitrol, mannitol

   a diuretic (trade name Osmitrol) used to promote the excretion of urine

   Demerol, meperidine, meperidine hydrochloride

   a synthetic narcotic drug (trade name Demerol) used to treat pain

   Mecholyl, methacholine

   parasympathomimetic drug (trademark Mecholyl) that stimulates secretions and smooth muscle activity

   dolophine hydrochloride, fixer, methadon, methadone, methadone hydrochloride, synthetic heroin

   synthetic narcotic drug similar to morphine but less habit-forming; used in narcotic detoxification and maintenance of heroin addiction

   Ritalin, methylphenidate

   central nervous system stimulant (trade name Ritalin) used in the treatment of narcolepsy in adults and attention deficit disorder in children

   muscle relaxant

   a drug that reduces muscle contractility by blocking the transmission of nerve impulses or by decreasing the excitability of the motor end plate or by other actions

   narcoleptic

   a soporific drug that produces an uncontrollable desire to sleep

   narcotic antagonist

   an antagonist used to counteract the effects of narcotics (especially to counteract the depression of respiration)

   nux vomica

   a medicine made from the seeds of an Asiatic tree; contains strychnine and brucine; formerly used as a stimulant

   opiate

   a narcotic drug that contains opium or an opium derivative

   opium

   an addictive narcotic extracted from seed capsules of the opium poppy

   over-the-counter drug, over-the-counter medicine

   a drug that is sold without a prescription

   oxytocic, oxytocic drug

   a drug that induces labor by stimulating contractions of the muscles of the uterus

   camphorated tincture of opium, paregoric

   medicine used to treat diarrhea

   patent medicine

   medicine that is protected by a patent and available without a doctor's prescription

   Cuprimine, penicillamine

   a drug (trade name Cuprimine) used to treat heavy metal poisoning and Wilson's disease and severe arthritis

   Metrazol, pentamethylenetetrazol, pentylenetetrazol

   a drug used as a circulatory and respiratory stimulant; larger doses cause convulsions in shock therapy; Metrazol is a trademark

   pharmaceutic, pharmaceutical

   drug or medicine that is prepared or dispensed in pharmacies and used in medical treatment

   Vasomax, phentolamine

   a virility drug (trade name Vasomax) to treat erectile dysfunction in men

   placebo

   an innocuous or inert medication; given as a pacifier or to the control group in experiments on the efficacy of a drug

   popper

   a container of stimulant drug (amyl nitrate or butyl nitrite)

   powder

   any of various cosmetic or medical preparations dispensed in the form of a pulverized powder

   ethical drug, prescription, prescription drug, prescription medicine

   a drug that is available only with written instructions from a doctor or dentist to a pharmacist

   probenecid

   a uricosuric drug that reduces the level of uric acid in the blood; used to treat gout

   aperient, cathartic, physic, purgative

   a purging medicine; stimulates evacuation of the bowels

   recreational drug

   a narcotic drug that is used only occasionally and is claimed to be nonaddictive

   curative, cure, remedy, therapeutic

   a medicine or therapy that cures disease or relieve pain

   rubefacient

   a medicine for external application that produces redness of the skin

   depressant, downer, sedative, sedative drug

   a drug that reduces excitability and calms a person

   Viagra, sildenafil, sildenafil citrate

   virility drug (trade name Viagra) used to treat erectile dysfunction in men

   sleeping capsule, sleeping draught, sleeping pill, sleeping tablet

   a soporific drug in the form of a pill (or tablet or capsule)

   soft drug

   a drug of abuse that is considered relatively mild and not likely to cause addiction

   soothing syrup

   medicine in the form of a syrup that has a calming effect

   specific

   a medicine that has a mitigating effect on a specific disease

   spinal anaesthetic, spinal anesthetic

   an anesthetic that is injected into the spine

   Carafate, sucralfate

   medicine consisting of a tablet (trade name Carafate) used to treat peptic ulcers; said to bind to the ulcer site and coat it

   sudatory, sudorific

   a medicine that causes or increases sweating

   suppository

   a small plug of medication designed for insertion into the rectum or vagina where it melts

   Cialis, tadalafil

   virility drug (trade name Cialis) used to treat erectile dysfunction in men

   THC, tetrahydrocannabinol

   psychoactive substance present in marijuana

   thiazide

   any of a group of drugs commonly used as diuretics in the treatment of hypertension; they block the reabsorption of sodium in the kidneys

   tincture

   (pharmacology) a medicine consisting of an extract in an alcohol solution

   baccy, tobacco

   leaves of the tobacco plant dried and prepared for smoking or ingestion

   restorative, tonic

   a medicine that strengthens and invigorates

   antianxiety agent, ataractic, ataractic agent, ataractic drug, tranquilizer, tranquilliser, tranquillizer

   a drug used to reduce stress or tension without reducing mental clarity

   tyrosine kinase inhibitor

   a drug used in cases of chronic myeloid leukemia

   Levitra, vardenafil

   virility drug (trade name Levitra) used to treat erectile dysfunction in men

   vasodilative, vasodilator

   a drug that causes dilation of blood vessels

   vermicide

   an agent that kills worms (especially those in the intestines)

   anthelminthic, anthelmintic, helminthic, vermifuge

   a medication capable of causing the evacuation of parasitic intestinal worms

   alcohol, alcoholic beverage, alcoholic drink, inebriant, intoxicant

   a liquor or brew containing alcohol as the active agent

   type of:

   agent

   a substance that exerts some force or effect
2. verb

   administer a drug to
   synonyms: dose

   types:

   anaesthetise, anaesthetize, anesthetise, anesthetize, put out, put under

   administer an anesthetic drug to

   dope, dope up

   give a narcotic to

   o.d., overdose

   dose too heavily

   narcotise, narcotize

   administer narcotics to

   poison

   administer poison to

   etherise, etherize

   anesthetize with ether

   chloroform

   anesthetize with chloroform

   freeze

   anesthetize by cold

   soup

   dope (a racehorse)

   intoxicate

   have an intoxicating effect on, of a drug

   block

   interrupt the normal function of by means of anesthesia

   type of:

   medicate, medicine

   treat medicinally, treat with medicine
3. verb

   use recreational drugs
   synonyms: do drugs

   types:

   inject

   take by injection

   snort, take a hit

   inhale through the nose

   base, free-base

   use (purified cocaine) by burning it and inhaling the fumes

   drop

   take (a drug, especially LSD), by mouth

   dope

   take drugs to improve one's athletic performance

   mainline

   inject into the vein

   pop

   take drugs, especially orally

   type of:

   consume, have, ingest, take, take in

   serve oneself to, or consume regularly