1.
external medicine; topical medication; medication for external use
Any medicine applied to the outside of the body — ointments, creams, patches, eye drops, ear drops, etc. — as opposed to medicine taken internally.
この薬は外用薬です。
This medicine is for external use.
外用薬は患部に直接塗ってください。
Please apply the topical medication directly to the affected area.
内服薬と外用薬の両方を処方されたが、外用薬は一日二回塗布するよう指示された。
I was prescribed both oral and topical medication, and was instructed to apply the topical one twice a day.
Compound of 外用 ('external use') and 薬 ('medicine'). The standard pharmaceutical term for any medication not taken by mouth or injection, including creams, ointments, patches, and drops.
USAGE:
- The label 外用 appears on medicine packaging to indicate it should not be ingested
- Contrasts with 内服薬 ('oral medication') and 注射薬 ('injectable medication')
- Common in pharmacy, hospital, and product labeling contexts
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 外用薬を塗る: to apply topical medication
- 外用薬を処方する: to prescribe external medication
- 外用薬の使用方法: how to use external medication
- 皮膚外用薬: dermatological topical medication
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 内服薬: oral medicine; internal medicine — medication taken by mouth
- 塗り薬: ointment; cream — the everyday word for topical medicine you spread on skin
- 貼り薬: medicated patch — a specific type of external medicine applied as a patch