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.
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.
Compound of 劇 (intense, violent) + 薬 (medicine, drug). Used both literally for pharmacologically potent drugs and figuratively for radical solutions.
Common collocations
- 劇薬に指定される: to be designated as a potent drug
- 劇薬指定: potent drug designation
- 劇薬を処方する: to prescribe a strong medication
Cultural note
In Japanese law, 劇薬 is a legally defined category under the Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices Act. It is distinguished from 毒薬 (poison), which is even more dangerous. Products classified as 劇薬 must be labeled in red letters with a red border on a white background.
Similar words
- 毒薬: poison; lethal drug — more dangerous category than 劇薬
- 特効薬: miracle cure; specific remedy — emphasizes effectiveness rather than potency