is a drug considered a chemical?
968293
Everything around us is a chemical. That is all foods, all fibers, natural materials in the environment as well as the man made materials.
44441
First of all, the "normal" universe is entriely made of chemical elements and their compounds.  Next, when you look at the claims that some manufactures say, stating "no chemicals 100% natural" what they probably mean is no man-made chemical compounds.  Lastly, this claim is implys that natural chemical compounds are safe and human friendly -- this is completely nuts.  Some of the most toxic substances known are "natural."  A vast number of drugs are just isolated and concentrated nature-made compounds.  Beware of any claim like this.  When in doubt it is best to review the peer-reviewed journals NOT just a google (or Yahoo! :) search.
941788
Control of substances hazzardous to health\nIt's an information sheet for each chemical product for use, safety etc and is required by law
435843
Most compounds contain ligands or are charged so as to be physiologically useful to the body. For example, lidocaine is a sulfate salt, as the amine group in the compound is protonated.\n\nThe salt is listed second because it's just a form of the compound (e.g. the way that the compound is being administered).
822229
All medications are chemicals. Many of them have more side effects than they have actions on the medical conditions they were prescribed to alleviate. Because of litigation, no drug manufacturer deliberately produces a dangerous medication. It simply happens because the FDA cannot test long enough.
843142
It should say on the medicine, if not call the pharamcy where you got it.  Medicines change chemically over time, however small changes are not that serious.
116145
If I remember my chemistry correctly, an organic molecule is one containing carbon and at least one other element.  So, a non-organic substance would be anything else.
1167044
You really need to be specific here.  Everything is a chemical - the food we eat, the air we breathe, etc.
115563
a chemical in your body if there is too much you can have serious problems. I once had a doctor OD me on 1 med and that combined with a drug interactions with other prescriptions I was taking raised my theophiline serum level to the point I almost died.
888187
something about chemistry
496782
I believe when you have a drug test, you list the prescription medications you are taking.  I wouldn't think it should be a problem for you.
439212
Every drug reacts differently and there are many chemical reactions.\n\nThe most common method a drug uses though is to inhibit an enzyme that is causing the anomaly.  It does this by binding to a "pocket" in the enzyme, most typically by ionic interactions.  These are either in the form of hydrogen bonding, pi-pi stacking etc.  These drugs are VERY specific and out of the thousands of different enzymes in your body they will target the right one.  Most commonly due to the new ionic interactions it causes the enzyme to change shape and deform very slightly, which means it cannot combine with another enzyme to promote the disease, or bind specifically to another molecule in your body which would otherwise promote the disease.\n\nThe reasons for drugs are several fold:\n\n1.  They are there to help initiate an enzyme-enzyme interaction that should occur naturally, but isn't;\n2.  They are used to bind to a rogue enzyme which is causing problems, deform the shape and de-activate it, letting your body carry on as normal;\n3.  They take over part of the bodies process and actually are a synthetic replacement for something that does occur naturally, but isn't functioning properly.\n\nHow individual drugs work is very specific usually to the ailment, so it is difficult to provide general chemical reactions.\n\nI hope this brief explanation marginally helps.
134720
A condition isn't the same as a disorder.\nTo clarify, if you take a substance and that substance creates a result does not mean that the previous condition was a negative one, or that the new condition is a positive one. Take cocaine (or Ritalin) for example.\n\nI also think that using medications for ADD is rarely appropriate as it can be treated or cured using appropriate behavioral strategies.
494178
If you meant PSYCHOTROPIC, it is a chemical/drug which alters perception, emotion, and behavior. Thanks for the question.
447499
You could also try\nwww.rxlist.com\nthey shurely describe the mode of action\n\nFor chemical structures try\nwww.wikipedia.org\nthey should cover a lot of the substances, I guess.
263287
The drugs won't actually change your DNA but the cells/fluids which are sampled may contain the drug/metabolites. I don't think it is routine for DNA samples to be tested for drugs.
14214
I appreciate all the answers, but the fact is YES it can.  All drugs ( prescription, over the counter or street ) can cause ADVERSE REACTIONS in an individual.  I've known people who get hyper on pot and people who can fall asleep after doing a line of coke.  Individuals are just that INDIVIDUAL so a response would lie in that persons constitution.