A drug is a substance that is used to relieve pain, cure or prevent disease. In principle, medication must be prescribed by a physician. However, self-medication is very common and risky.

In ancient medicinal substances were prepared with herbs and natural products. It will not be until the sixteenth century when they start using chemicals. Anyway, the real revolution in the world of drugs produced in the twentieth century.

Types of medicines according to their composition

There are different kinds of medication according to their composition. Some are produced in mass to the same formula, however others are specific and unique to each case.

Moreover, the drugs also differ in their way of marketing, as some emerging market with a brand and from one laboratory and others are marketed unbranded.

Pharmaceutical Specialties

Those drugs with a known brand name, whose composition performed by a laboratory, it is always the same and contained in the package.

His name is not on the active substance from which they were made, but a term invented. In addition to its membership package contained laboratories which have produced.

Generic drugs

They have the same quality components and specialty pharmaceutical concerned, but his name corresponds to that of the active substance containing more important.

They lack any brand. There are no laboratory prestigious image, but they have the same components. You can only change forms, colors or flavors, but the active substance to combat the disease is the same. They are cheaper than proprietary products.

Master Formulas

These are drugs that produces a pharmacist at the behest of a doctor, for a patient with a specific formula. They are not previously manufactured or marketed.

They are intended for a specific purpose and must be prepared for each case. It is necessary to resort to such medicines especially in cases of unusual diseases.

Use of antibiotics

These are drugs that stop the growth or kill certain bacteria in the human body. Antibiotics are specific to each type of bacteria.

The misuse of these drugs is due, in part, many people do not differentiate between diseases caused by viruses and produced by bacteria.

Viruses and bacteria are very similar microorganisms, infectious disease, but the treatment for combat is different.

The bacterial diseases are fought with antibiotics, however, these are not effective against viruses. There are typically bacterial diseases, such as brucellosis or diphtheria, and other viral generally, as the flu or AIDS.

The confusion stems from the fact that many of the most common diseases, such as a sore throat or ear infections, may have a viral or bacterial origin. If they have one or another source, can determine just what the doctor, who will prescribe the proper medication.

The misuse of antibiotics can cause then these are not effective, then to take them inappropriately resistant bacteria are created equal.

Tips for effective use of medicines

·  Do not self-medicate.

·  Respect the hours and the duration of treatment.

·  Read the prospectus carefully.

·  Inform the doctor if you are taking other drugs, as some are incompatible.

·  Be especially cautious if you are pregnant or lactating women.

·  Avoid alcohol because it is not compatible with some medicines.

·  If you suffer from allergies or any chronic illness, you should inform your doctor.

·  Take caution in the lead, because some drugs can cause drowsiness.