劇薬(げきやく)

げきやく
noun
powerful medicine; drastic remedy
health
1. powerful medicine; potent drug; strong medication
A medicine with strong pharmacological effects that can be dangerous if misused. In Japanese pharmaceutical law, a legally defined category of drugs requiring special handling.
劇薬(げきやく)は厳重(げんじゅう)に管理(かんり)される。
Powerful medicines are strictly controlled.
この薬(くすり)は劇薬(げきやく)に指定(してい)されている。
This drug is classified as a potent medicine.
劇薬(げきやく)は医師(いし)の処方(しょほう)なしには手(て)に入(はい)らない。
Potent drugs cannot be obtained without a doctor's prescription.
2. drastic measure; radical remedy; strong medicine (figurative)
A bold, extreme, or risky measure taken to solve a serious problem. Often implies that while the solution may be effective, it carries significant risks or side effects.
この改革(かいかく)は劇薬(げきやく)だ。
This reform is drastic medicine.
経済(けいざい)を立(た)て直(なお)すには劇薬(げきやく)が必要(ひつよう)だ。
Drastic measures are needed to fix the economy.
劇薬(げきやく)は副作用(ふくさよう)も大(おお)きいことを忘(わす)れてはならない。
We must not forget that drastic remedies also come with major side effects.

Compound of 劇(げき) (intense, violent) + 薬(やく) (medicine, drug). Used both literally for pharmacologically potent drugs and figuratively for radical solutions.

Common collocations

Pharmaceutical context

In Japanese law, 劇薬(げきやく) is a legally defined category under the Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices Act. It is distinguished from 毒薬(どくやく) (poison), which is even more dangerous. Products classified as 劇薬(げきやく) must be labeled with a white background and red text.

Similar words

  • 毒薬(どくやく): poison; lethal drug — more dangerous category than 劇薬(げきやく)
  • 特効薬(とっこうやく): miracle cure; specific remedy — emphasizes effectiveness rather than potency

Related Words

Compare: 毒薬(どくやく) (poison)
Compare: 化学(かがく)薬品(やくひん) (chemical product)
general
Added 2026.4.3 5:23 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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