Concetti Chiave
- Medications are substances that alter normal bodily functions, differing from endogenous biochemicals like hormones.
- Natural substances such as beer and certain mushrooms exist at the boundary between food and drugs.
- Recreational drugs are psychoactive substances used for enjoyment or sensory enhancement, which can be legal or illegal.
- Medicines are classified by legal jurisdiction into over-the-counter, behind-the-counter, and prescription-only categories.
- Common forms of medication include tablets, capsules, powders, drops, liquids, injectables, inhalants, suppositories, and skin preparations.
Common forms of medication
Drugs or medications: any substance that alters
normal bodily functions
Different from:
1. Endogenous biochemicals like hormones because they are introduced from outside the organism
2. Natural substances such as beer, wines and some mushrooms may be located on the threshold between food and drugs
3. Recreational drugs: psychoactive substances used to have fun or enhance senses and perception; they may cause addiction and habituation and may be both legal
(tobacco, alcohol and caffeine) and illegal (narcotics, hallucinogens)
Medicines are divided into three categories by governments according to their legal jurisdiction:
1. Over-the-counter (OTC) medications: available in pharmacies and supermarkets without special restrictions
2. Behind-the-counter (BTC), known as “pharmacy medicines” in the UK: dispensed by
a licensed pharmacist without the need for a doctor’s prescription
3. Prescription only medicines (POM): must be prescribed by a licensed medical professional
• tablets compresse
• capsules capsule
• powders polveri
• drops gocce
• liquids: available as solutions, syrups, suspensions (powder mixed with liquid), elixirs sciroppi
• injectable solutions soluzioni iniettabilk
• inhalants and sprays
• suppositories supposte
• skin preparations: available as creams, ointments, lotions, pastes
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