Prescription Drugs: Meaning, Use, and Risks

A prescription drug is a medicine that, by law, can be dispensed only with a valid prescription from a licensed clinician. It is intended to diagnose, treat, mitigate, cure, or prevent disease.

Prescription drugs require professional oversight; OTC drugs are labeled for self‑care and can be bought without a prescription when used as directed.

Because they may need medical diagnosis, ongoing monitoring, or have safety risks (e.g., interactions, dependence potential) that warrant supervised use.

“Rx” is the common abbreviation for prescription; it comes from the Latin recipe (“take”).

In the U.S., MD/DO physicians and, depending on state law, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and some other licensed professionals have prescriptive authority.

FDA‑approved labeling includes uses, dosing, contraindications, warnings, and risk information; some drugs also require patient‑facing Medication Guides.

A Medication Guide is FDA‑approved patient labeling required for certain prescription drugs to explain major risks and safe‑use steps in plain language.

FDA reviews and approves drug safety and effectiveness; DEA places abuse‑prone medicines into Schedules I–V under the Controlled Substances Act.

Common groups include opioids for pain, benzodiazepines for anxiety/sleep, stimulants for ADHD, and medicines for mental health like antidepressants and antipsychotics.

No. Only drugs with abuse or dependence potential are “controlled substances.” Many prescriptions (e.g., antibiotics, most antidepressants) are not scheduled.

Using a medicine in any way not prescribed—higher doses, someone else’s prescription, or altering the route (e.g., crushing to snort/inject).

Yes—only from a state‑licensed pharmacy that requires a valid prescription; many sites are illegal or unsafe. FDA’s BeSafeRx explains how to verify legitimacy.

Use DEA/FDA take‑back options; if unavailable, follow FDA’s steps for household trash (mix with unappealing substance, seal, and discard; scratch out personal info).

Medicines you can only get with a licensed clinician’s order because safe use requires professional guidance.

Yes. They are prescribed to treat mental health conditions (e.g., depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia) and require clinician oversight.

Yes. Categories and dispensing rules vary (e.g., U.K. POM/P/GSL; Australia requires an authorized prescriber for prescription medicines).

Generics can be either prescription or OTC; FDA‑approved generics meet the same standards for dose, quality, and effectiveness as brands.