What term describes taking a medication for a reason other than the intended use (for example, using a medication for back pain to get relief, not to get high)?

• A. Misuse
• B. Abuse
• C. Dependence
• D. Addiction

Answer: (A)

Taking a medication for a reason other than what it was prescribed for is misuse. This means using the drug in a way or for a purpose outside the prescribed intent—such as using it to treat a problem it wasn’t prescribed for, or in a dose or manner not directed by a clinician. The key idea is the mismatch between why the medication was given and how it’s being used.

In contrast, abuse refers to using a drug primarily to achieve psychoactive effects or a high; dependence involves the body’s tolerance and withdrawal issues; addiction describes a chronic, compulsive pattern of use despite harm. So, when the focus is on using a medication for an unapproved purpose or outside the prescribed plan, misuse is the best fit.