take any medication

[navi tasan]

1) One wants to take any medication only if one really needs it.
2) One wants to take a medication only if one really needs it.

Can one use #1 instead of #2?

The idea is to say 'a medication, no matter what it is', but to me the first sentence doesn't sound correct.

 

[5jj]

The idea is to say 'a medication, no matter what it is', but to me the first sentence doesn't sound correct.

#1 is more appropriate for that meaning.

 

[emsr2d2]

I'd use nothing before "medication". Also bear in mind that "one" is used much less than it used to be. We're likely, in BrE, to use "you" or "(many) people".

Many people want to take medication only if they really need it. (Statement of fact.)
You want to take medication only if you really need it. (This sounds more like a recommendation to someone.)

 

[Tarheel]

Here's an alternative way of saying it. (See below.)

Nobody takes medicine because they want to. People take medicine because they have to -- not because they want to.