medication

Everyday

1. Medication is medicine: pills, liquids, creams or injections that a doctor gives to treat an illness or stop pain. tree →
2. Being on medication means taking medicine regularly. tree →

In the lessons

In health and safety lessons: only take medication given by a parent, doctor or school nurse; keep medication away from small children. In everyday life: «Grandad takes his medication with breakfast.» It is a slightly more formal word than «medicine».

Examples

• The nurse keeps our medication in a locked cupboard. tree →
• Never take someone else's medication. tree →
• Dad is on medication for his high blood pressure. tree →
• Read the label before giving any medication. tree →
• The doctor changed her medication. tree →
• Some medications make you sleepy. tree →
• Keep all medication out of reach of children. tree →

Note

Can be uncountable (some medication) or countable (several medications). Synonyms: medicine, drug (but «drugs» can also mean illegal substances). Safety: in maths problems about doses, the dose is often per kilogram of body weight or per day; never guess real doses.