外用薬(がいようやく)

がいようやく
noun
external medicine; topical medication
formalmedicalhealth
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(くすり)は外用薬(がいようやく)です。
This medicine is for external use.
外用薬(がいようやく)は患部(かんぶ)に直接(ちょくせつ)塗(ぬ)ってください。
Please apply the topical medication directly to the affected area.
内服薬(ないふくやく)と外用薬(がいようやく)の両方(りょうほう)を処方(しょほう)されたが、外用薬(がいようやく)は一日(いちにち)二回(にかい)塗布(とふ)するよう指示(しじ)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(がいよう) ('external use') and 薬(やく) ('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(がいよう) appears on medicine packaging to indicate it should not be ingested
  • Contrasts with 内服薬(ないふくやく) ('oral medication') and 注射薬(ちゅうしゃやく) ('injectable medication')
  • Common in pharmacy, hospital, and product labeling contexts

Common collocations

  • 外用薬(がいようやく)を塗(ぬ)る: to apply topical medication
  • 外用薬(がいようやく)を処方(しょほう)する: to prescribe external medication
  • 外用薬(がいようやく)の使用方法(しようほうほう): how to use external medication
  • 皮膚(ひふ)外用薬(がいようやく): dermatological topical medication

Similar words

  • 内服薬(ないふくやく): oral medicine; internal medicine — medication taken by mouth
  • 塗り薬(ぬりぐすり): ointment; cream — the everyday word for topical medicine you spread on skin
  • 貼り薬(はりぐすり): medicated patch — a specific type of external medicine applied as a patch

Related Words

Compare: 内服薬(ないふくやく) (oral medicine)
Compare: 塗(ぬ)り薬(ぐすり) (ointment)
Compare: 点眼薬(てんがんやく) (eye drops)
general
Added 2026.4.18 21:20 · Revised 2026.9.4 21:29
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