wonder drug

Medical breakthrough treatment

A wonder drug is a medication that seems remarkably effective, especially one that treats conditions previously considered untreatable.

Penicillin was the original wonder drug.

The term often carries skepticism when applied to new treatments: Every few years they announce another wonder drug that turns out to have serious side effects.

miracle

panacea

Universal cure

elixir · lifesaver · godsend · miraculous · transformative · extraordinary · phenomenal · breakthrough · game-changer · marvel

hype

overpromise

Pledge beyond capability

sensationalism · buzz · viral · trending · marketing · endorsement · celebrity · fad · gimmick · bandwagon

pharmaceutical

antibiotic

Bacteria-killing medication

insulin · statin · antiviral · chemotherapy · immunotherapy · biologic · antidepressant · corticosteroid · analgesic · monoclonal antibody

hope

remission

Temporary disease absence

promise · potential · relief · improvement · quality of life · second chance · clinical trial · experimental · compassionate use · patient advocacy

Categories
Opposites
therapeutic efficacy

wonder drugdud

Failed device or effort

snake oil · quack remedy · placebo · sugar pill

harm vs. benefit

wonder drugpoison

Harmful ingested substance

toxin · dangerous drug · teratogen · carcinogen · thalidomide

legitimacy and evidence

wonder drugplacebo

Inactive therapeutic substitute

sugar pill · snake oil · quack medicine · pseudomedicine · nostrum

Family

drug, wonder, wonderful, wondering, wondered, wonderfully, wonders, wondrous, wonderment

Familiarity
Top 200,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Positive · Everyday, not technical · Rated G