Prescription Medicine: Definition, Examples & Usage

Meaning 1：doctor-prescribed medication (prescription medicine)

prescription medicine 🔊

/prɪˈskrɪpʃən ˈmedɪsɪn/

Medicine that you can only get with a doctor's written order, often for serious health problems.

Patient receiving prescription medicine at pharmacy counter with doctor's note

doctor-prescribed medication 🔊

➕

/ˈdɒktər prɪˈskraɪbd ˌmedɪˈkeɪʃən/

A medicine that can only be obtained with a written order from a licensed doctor, typically for conditions requiring professional supervision.

📁 Category：Diet & Health 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Latin praescriptio 'written before' + medicina 'healing'.

💡 Mnemonic

Pre-scription = 'write before' you get the medicine. Doctor writes first.

📖 Example

After her check-up, the doctor recommended a prescription medicine to manage her asthma. 🔊 After her check-up, the doctor recommended a prescription medicine to manage her asthma.

🔗 Collocations

write a prescription – to issue an official order for medicine

fill a prescription – to obtain the medicine from a pharmacy as ordered

prescription drug – a medication requiring a doctor's order

🔄 Synonyms

prescription drug (n.) – A medication that can only be dispensed with a doctor's prescription.

medication (n.) – A substance used for medical treatment, often prescribed.

pharmaceutical (n.) – A medicinal drug manufactured by a company.

🚫 Antonyms

over-the-counter medicine (n.) – A medicine that can be bought without a prescription.

OTC drug (n.) – Same as over-the-counter medicine, no prescription needed.

🌱 Derivatives

prescribe (v.) – To issue a medical prescription.

prescriptive (adj.) – Relating to the giving of directives or prescriptions.

medicinal (adj.) – Having healing properties.

📖 Cultural Story

The modern prescription system emerged in the 20th century to regulate potent drugs. Doctors write prescriptions to authorize specific treatments, reducing misuse and ensuring patient safety.