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Drugs - All Articles

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Drugs are substances with active ingredients that cause physical or mental changes, including prescription medications, over-the-counter remedies, or illicit substances. Medications aim to prevent, diagnose, manage, or treat health problems, and many drugs, including illicit substances, can alter mood, thoughts, and behaviors.

 Drugs can cause unwanted side effects, and certain drugs may lead to misuse, abuse, or addiction. Use over-the-counter drugs and prescription medications in line with advice from a pharmacist or prescribing healthcare professional for the safest and most effective outcomes.

FAQ

What are common drug side effects?
Common side effects can depend on the type or class of drug but can include constipation, diarrhea, drowsiness, dry mouth, headaches, nausea, and rashes. The label should list the side effects, but see a doctor about unexpected or severe symptoms.
Prescription drugs interact with specific body systems to treat conditions. A doctor issues a prescription to ensure you get the correct dosage or for OTC drugs that a person’s insurance plan may cover.
Illicit drug use risks legal, financial, social, emotional, and physical problems. Addiction, overdose, and long-term health conditions can develop. Illicit drugs have no medicinal use or value.
Drugs, supplements, and foods can interact with other medicines, making some dangerously potent but blocking the actions of others. A healthcare professional may ask what medications you’re currently taking to help avoid interactions with certain supplements and foods.
People can try therapy, medication, and support groups to treat addiction. Residential rehabilitation can provide a support network for those seeking recovery. Abruptly stopping some substances can cause dangerous withdrawal symptoms, so specialized in-hospital treatment can help people manage withdrawal.
Meet Our Experts In Drugs
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Everyday Health’s team of board-certified physicians and health professionals contribute to the creation and review of content, ensuring that the information is useful, up to date, and accurate.

Kristina D. Carter, PharmD

Medical Reviewer

Kristina D. Carter, PharmD, is a clinical pharmacist and freelance health writer who currently works in a managed care setting, performing quality audits on utilization management ...

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Lisa D. Curcio, MD, FACS

Medical Reviewer
Castle Connolly Top Doctor
Lisa Curcio, MD, is a board-certified general surgeon and a fellowship-trained surgical oncologist. She is currently the medical director of breast surgery at Northern Dutchess Hos...
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Stephanie Young Moss, PharmD

Medical Reviewer

Stephanie Young Moss, PharmD, has worked in pharmacy, community outreach, regulatory compliance, managed care, and health economics and outcomes research. Dr. Young Moss is the own...

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Allison Buttarazzi, MD

Allison Buttarazzi, MD

Medical Reviewer
Castle Connolly Top Doctor, Member of American College of Lifestyle Medicine

Allison Buttarazzi, MD, is board-certified in internal medicine and lifestyle medicine, and is a certified health and well-being coach. In her primary care practice, Dr. Buttarazzi...

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Jennifer Rooke, MD, MPH

Medical Reviewer
Member of American College of Lifestyle Medicine, Castle Connolly Top Doctor
Jennifer Rooke, MD, MPH, is an associate professor of community health and preventive medicine at Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta. She is board-certified in both preventive...
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Jane Yoon Scott, MD

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Jane Yoon Scott, MD, is an infectious disease physician and an assistant professor of medicine at Emory University in Atlanta. Dr. Scott enjoys connecting with her patients, empowe...

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Ira Daniel Breite, MD

Medical Reviewer
Castle Connolly Top Doctor

Ira Daniel Breite, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He is an associate professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, where he also sees patien...

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Anna Gorman

Medical Reviewer

Anna Gorman is the News Senior Correspondent for Kaiser Health News. She’s an alum of the LA Times and a graduate of the University of California Los Angeles.

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Michael Cutler, DO, PhD

Medical Reviewer
Castle Connolly Top Doctor

Michael Cutler, DO, PhD, is a cardiac electrophysiologist at Intermountain Heart Rhythm Specialists in Salt Lake City, Utah. His research interests include understanding the cellul...

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Chung Yoon, MD

Medical Reviewer
Castle Connolly Top Doctor
Chung Yoon, MD, is a noninvasive cardiologist with a passion for diagnosis, prevention, intervention, and treatment of a wide range of heart and cardiovascular disorders. He enjoys...
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Laura J. Martin, MD, MPH

Medical Reviewer
Castle Connolly Top Doctor

Laura J. Martin, MD, MPH, is a board-certified internal medicine and palliative care physician practicing at City of Hope in Atlanta.

She received a bachelor's degree in biology and...

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Grant Chu, MD, MS, MBA, FACP

Medical Reviewer
Castle Connolly Top Doctor

Grant Chu, MD, is an associate clinical professor at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Dr. Chu is also associate director of inpatient East-West consult services at the ...

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Russell H. Greenfield, MD

Medical Reviewer
Member of American College of Lifestyle Medicine
Russell H. Greenfield, MD, is senior physician consultant for the Office of Patient Centered Care and Cultural Transformation for the Veterans Health Administration and maintains a...
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Natalia Johnsen, MD

Medical Reviewer
Member of American College of Lifestyle Medicine

Natalia Johnsen, MD, is a triple board-certified physician in internal medicine, lifestyle medicine, and obesity medicine, practicing as an internist and consultant at the Vancouve...

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Angela D. Harper, MD

Medical Reviewer
Castle Connolly Top Doctor

Angela D. Harper, MD, is in private practice at Columbia Psychiatric Associates in South Carolina, where she provides evaluations, medication management, and psychotherapy for adul...

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Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
  1. Drug. National Cancer Institute.
  2. Prescription Drug Abuse. Mayo Clinic. October 25, 2022.

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