Words / B1

med-i-KAYSHUN/ˌmedɪˈkeɪʃn/

Medication is a drug for an illness: on medication; prescribed medication; stop the medication. Medicine is a close twin; tablets or pills name the form. Uncountable in “on medication”. Do not use medication for vitamins you chose yourself unless a clinician does. Over-the-counter vs prescription is a useful contrast.

Meaning

A drug used to treat an illness (often uncountable in this sense).

Examples

• “Do not stop the medication without asking your GP.”
• “Do not mix this medication with alcohol.”
• “He has been on medication for blood pressure since March.”

Good to know

on medication; prescribed medication (often uncountable). Close: medicine. Form: tablets. Contrast: over-the-counter / prescription.

Near in meaning

medicine

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