Pharmaceuticals are chemical substances that are produced in order to be used as medications. The term “pharmaceutical” can refer to both the drugs themselves and the companies that manufacture and distribute them. Pharmaceuticals are an important part of our healthcare system, and they play a vital role in treating many different medical conditions.
There are two main types of pharmaceuticals: prescription drugs and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. Prescription drugs are those that can only be obtained with a doctor’s prescription, while OTC drugs can be bought without a prescription. Pharmaceuticals can be divided into several different categories, depending on their intended use.
Some of the most common types of pharmaceuticals include:
Analgesics: These are drugs that relieve pain. Examples include acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil), and aspirin.
Antibiotics: These are drugs that kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria. They are used to treat infections caused by bacteria. Examples include penicillin, erythromycin, and ciprofloxacin (Cipro).
Anti-inflammatory drugs: These are drugs that reduce inflammation, swelling, and redness. They are often used to treat arthritis and other inflammatory conditions. Examples include corticosteroids such as prednisone (Prednisone) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil) and naproxen (Aleve).
Antidepressants: These are drugs that treat depression by correcting imbalances in brain chemistry. Examples include tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as fluoxetine (Prozac).