Drugs

Analyte Categories

Drugs

Drugs, which can include both prescription and nonprescription pharmaceuticals are substances that can alter the way the body works or treat or prevent disease.

A drug is any substance that can be used to modify a chemical process or processes in the body, for example to treat an illness, relieve a symptom, enhance a performance or ability, or to alter states of mind.

Drugs include both prescription and nonprescription pharmaceuticals; biologically-derived products such as vaccines, serums, and blood derived products; tissues and organs; disinfectants; and radiopharmaceuticals. Drugs are natural products or synthetic chemicals that can alter the way the body works, or which are used to prevent or treat disease.

Drugs can also mean a federally controlled substance including marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, opiates, and phencyclidine (PCP).