Medication is a substance used to treat, prevent, or relieve illness or medical conditions. When you're sick with a bacterial infection, a doctor might prescribe antibiotic medication to help your body fight it off. When someone has allergies, they might take allergy medication to stop the sneezing and itching.

Medications come in many forms: pills you swallow, liquids you drink, creams you rub on your skin, or shots a nurse gives you. Some medications work quickly, like pain relievers that ease a headache within an hour. Others work slowly over time, like medications people take daily to manage conditions such as diabetes or asthma.

The word medication is often used interchangeably with medicine, though medication sounds more formal and medical. You might say “I need to take my medication” when talking about prescription drugs from a doctor, while “medicine” might refer to anything that helps you feel better, including over-the-counter remedies.

Taking medication correctly is important. Doctors prescribe specific amounts at specific times because too much or too little can be ineffective or even dangerous. Some medications shouldn't be mixed with others, which is why pharmacists ask what medications you're already taking.