Difference Between Drug and Medicine

Key Difference – Drug vs Medicine

Drug and Medicine are often confused as one and the same thing though there is the difference between the two. A drug is a substance that is often considered narcotic, hallucinogen or a stimulant. On the other hand, medicine expresses a preparation used for the treatment or prevention of disease. Although a drug primarily refers to a medicinal substance, its purpose is different from that of medicine. This highlights that there is a clear difference between drug and medicine. Through this article let us elaborate on the difference between drug and medicine.

What is a Drug?

A drug is a substance that is often considered narcotic, hallucinogen or a stimulant. In short it can be said that a drug is stimulating in nature and purpose, and it especially causes addiction. It is a normal practice to administer a drug into the body of a human being. It is also added to a drink or food.

One of the properties of a drug is stupefaction. It stupefies the mind. Hence, one who often takes drugs is dubbed as an addict. Thus the word ‘drug addict’ refers to a person who is addicted to a narcotic drug on a regular basis. A drug peddler is a person who sells especially addictive drugs illegally. The word ‘drug’ is said to have originated from the old French word ‘drogue’.

Being addicted to drugs not only causes impairments and complications in the human body, but it also creates problems in the social life of the individual. For instance in many broken families, drug addiction can be seen. Addiction to a drug can sometimes lead to violence as well. However, an appropriate dose of drugs can be used in the form of medicine. With this let us move on to the next word.

What is Medicine?

The word ‘medicine’ expresses a preparation used for the treatment or prevention of disease. It is interesting to note that medicine refers to preparation especially the one taken by the mouth.

In the broader sense, the word ‘medicine’ would mean the science or practice of the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease. It is seen as a practice quite distinct from surgical methods. Thus ‘a doctor of medicine’ means a physician who is adept in treating diseases by administering medicines.

Medicine does not contribute to the factor of addiction, unlike a drug. In other words, it can be said that a medicine does not cause the stupefaction of the mind like a drug. The word ‘medicine’ is derived from the Latin word ‘medicina’. The two words ‘drug’ and ‘medicine’ should be used differently. The difference between the two words can be summarized as follows.

What is the Difference Between Drug and Medicine?

Definitions of Drug and Medicine:

Drug: A drug is a substance that is often considered narcotic, hallucinogen or a stimulant.

Medicine: The word ‘medicine’ expresses a preparation used for the treatment or prevention of disease.

Characteristics of Drug and Medicine:

Stupefaction:

Drug: Drugs can cause stupefaction.

Medicine: Medicine does not cause stupefaction.

Addiction:

Drug: Addiction to drugs can be harmful.

Medicine: Medicine do not cause addiction.

Nature:

Drug: Drugs are substance.

Medicine: Medicine can be broadly understood as the science or practice of the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease.

Image Courtesy:

1. Drug ampoule JPN By ignis – Own work, (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Wikimedia Commons

2.Tablets pills medicine medical waste By Pöllö (Own work) (CC BY 3.0) via Wikimedia Commons

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7pbXFn5yrnZ6YsqOx07CcnqZemLyue8OinZ%2Bdopq7pLGMm5ytr5Wau26w0a6eZpmemXq3v4ymnJ2hk567pns%3D