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.
劇薬は厳重に管理される。
Powerful medicines are strictly controlled.
この薬は劇薬に指定されている。
This drug is classified as a potent medicine.
劇薬は医師の処方なしには手に入らない。
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.
この改革は劇薬だ。
This reform is drastic medicine.
経済を立て直すには劇薬が必要だ。
Drastic measures are needed to fix the economy.
劇薬は副作用も大きいことを忘れてはならない。
We must not forget that drastic remedies also come with major 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
PHARMACEUTICAL CONTEXT:
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 with a white background and red text.
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