What is the term used for the use of medications to prevent illnesses or treat diseases?

The term "pharmacotherapeutics" specifically refers to the use of medications for the prevention and treatment of illnesses and diseases. This field encompasses the study of how drugs are used to manage and treat various medical conditions, focusing on the therapeutic effects of medications and their overall impact on health. It combines knowledge of the effectiveness, safety, and appropriate usage of medicines in a clinical context, addressing both the prevention of illness and the mitigation of disease symptoms.

In contrast, pharmacokinetics deals with the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of drugs—the processes that determine the concentration of the drug in the body over time. Pharmacodynamics studies the effects of drugs on the body, including the mechanisms of action and the relationship between drug concentration and effect. Pharmacology is the broader field that includes both pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, along with the study of drug composition, properties, and the overall impact on biological systems. Therefore, pharmacotherapeutics is the most relevant term when discussing the application of medications for preventing and treating diseases.