What usually characterizes a product as a drug?

A product is typically characterized as a drug when it is associated with a claim indicating therapeutic intent. This means that the product is intended to diagnose, cure, mitigate, treat, or prevent disease or to affect the structure or any function of the body in some way. The therapeutic intent sets drugs apart from other products that may not have such claims, like dietary supplements or herbal products, which are often not considered drugs unless they make specific claims about their effects on health.

The identification of a product as a drug hinges on regulatory definitions set forth by health authorities, which point out the importance of intended use in determining whether a product is classified as a drug. Side effects are common among drugs and do not disqualify a product from being classified as such; in fact, some drugs are known for their side effects. Being a herbal product does not automatically categorize something as a drug; many herbal products are not classified as drugs unless they claim to have therapeutic effects. Lastly, the recommendation for multiple uses can occur with various types of products and does not automatically confer drug status. Thus, the defining element here is the claim of therapeutic intent, which clearly aligns with the classification of a drug.