drug vs. medicine

[yamadew]

Hello.

I wonder if there is any difference between drug and medicine.

I know that drug is defined as "illegal substances", but also defined as "a medicine, or a substance for making medicines."
Medicine is "a study of illness and injuries", but also "a substance used for treating illness."

Could anybody give me some advice about this?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Raymott]

Hello.

I wonder if there is any difference between drug and medicine.

I know that drug is defined as "illegal substances", but also defined as "a medicine, or a substance for making medicines."
Medicine is "a study of illness and injuries", but also "a substance used for treating illness."

Could anybody give me some advice about this?

Thanks in advance.

In science/medicine, they are used to mean the same thing - any foreign substance used in treatment that can cause a change in the way the body works.
In popular culture, "drugs" are the illegal substances - also called "recreational drugs".
"Medications" is a useful term to refer to prescribed or over-the-counter drugs.

 

[Tdol]

When talking about the substance as a chemical, then I'd be more likely to use drug.

 

[panicmonger]

This sedative can lessen the terror of explosion.

Is this sentence correct?

Thanks in advance.

 

[yamadew]

Thank the two of you for answering my question.

 

[Raymott]

When talking about the substance as a chemical, then I'd be more likely to use drug.

It depends who you're talking to. Some patients/people don't like being asked "What drugs are you taking?" etc.