Select Board & Class

Login

Chemistry in Everyday Life

Medicines

Medicines play an important role in maintaining the health of a human being by treating various kinds of diseases. Medicines prove useful when taken as per the advice of a certified doctor. Without prescription, taking medicines can prove harmful as they have numerous side effects too. So, to avoid the side effects of medicines one should always consult a doctor before taking them.

Do you know?

The word “medicine” is derived from the Latin words “ars medicina”, meaning “the art of healing”. Nowadays, medicines have become a necessity for maintaining health. They are used for various purposes such as treatment and prevention of disease, removal of infections, increased healing of injuries, etc.

Nowadays, various kinds of medicines are available in the market. Every medicine has its specified action on the body. For example, if a person has fever, he will take such a medicine which is antipyretic in nature or if someone is suffering from acidity, he will take an antacid. Taking antacid in feverish condition will not improve the condition of the person.

As discussed above, medicines are of different types and they are classified on the basis of their clinical action.

On the basis of clinical action, medicines are classified in the following categories:

(a) Analgesics: Analgesics are the class of drugs which help in relieving pain. For example: Aspirin, ibuprofen, etc.

(b) Antipyretics: They belong to that class of medicines which help in lowering the body temperature. They are usually taken when a person is suffering from fever.

For example: paracetamol, combiflam, etc.

(c) Antiseptics:  Those medicines which are used to control germs or kill them without posing any threat to the body cells come under the class of antiseptics.

For example: Dettol, savlon, etc.

(d) Antacids: Whenever the amount of acid is increases in the body, doctors advise to take antacids as they are the mild bases and help in neutralizing excess of acid in the body.

For example: Milk of magnesia, ENO, etc.

(e) Antibiotics: This class of drug is produced by microorganisms and help to retard the growth of or kill the other microorganisms.

For example: penicillin, tetracycline, etc.

Do you know?

The first antibiotic made by scientists is Penicillin. It was created accidently by Dr. Alexander Fleming. One day, he noticed a mould growing on the culture plate of bacteria…

To view the complete topic, please

What are you looking for?

Syllabus