Drug vs Medicine: Drug and Medicine are not the same things. But frequently we use these term to indicate the same meaning. However, there is some difference between drug and medicine and these are:
Table of Contents
Drug vs Medicine
Etymology of drug vs medicine
The word “Drug” derived from Greek “Pharmacon” meaning “Drug”. While the word “Medicine” derived from Latin “Medicus” meaning “healing, or physician”.
Definition of drug vs medicine
A drug is any chemical substance which when acts on the living body alter the physiological process and is used for prevention, diagnosis, control, and treatment of disease. While medicine is the formulated form of the drug having definite dose and dosages form which is used for prevention, diagnosis, control, and treatment of disease.
Relation with API
A drug is only active pharmaceutical ingredients (API). While medicine is the formulation of API with excipients or without excipients.
Dosage form and dose
A drug has no suitable dosage form and dose. On the other hand, medicine has an suitable dosage form and dose.
Using Pattern of drug vs medicine
Generally, a drug is not used directly for treatment because it needs to be designed suitable dosage form and dose. While medicine is used for treatment directly.
Source of drug vs medicine
Source of drugs are plant, animal, microorganisms, minerals, synthetic source, semisynthetic source and, recombinant DNA technology. While the source of medicine is drug with or without excipient.
A link between Drug and Medicine
All medicines are drugs. On the other hand, all drugs are not medicines.
Example of Drug and Medicine
As for example, Paracetamol, also known as Acetaminophen (Analgesic and Antipyretic); Morphine (Analgesic); and Ampicillin (Antibiotic) etc. For example of medicine, Paracetamol tablet, Paracetamol syrup Paracetamol elixir and Ampicillin tablet etc. You may also read: Difference between Sterile and Pyrogen-free
Summary of drug vs medicine
| Drug | Medicine |
|---|---|
| The word “Drug” is derived from Greek “Pharmacon” meaning “Drug”. | The word “Medicine” is derived from Latin “Medicus” meaning “healing, or physician”. |
| A Drug is any chemical substance which when acts on the living body alter the physiological process and is used for prevention, diagnosis, control, and treatment of disease. | A Medicine is the formulated form of drug having definite dose and dosages form which is used for prevention, diagnosis, control, and treatment of disease. |
| A Drug is only active pharmaceutical ingredients (API). | A Medicine is the formulation of API with excipients or without excipients. |
| Drug has no appropriate dosage form and dose. | Medicine has an appropriate dosage form and dose. |
| Generally, a drug is not used directly for treatment because it needs to be designed suitable dosage form and dose. | A Medicine is used for treatment directly. |
| Source of drugs are plants, animals, microorganisms, minerals, synthetic source, semisynthetic source, recombinant DNA technology. | Source of Medicine is drug and excipient. |
| All medicines are drugs. | All drugs are not medicines. |
| As for example Paracetamol, also known as Acetaminophen (Analgesic and Antipyretic); Morphine (Analgesic); Ampicillin (Antibiotic). | As for example Paracetamol tablet, Paracetamol syrup, Paracetamol elixir. |
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