wonder drug

noun

: a drug usually newly discovered that elicits a dramatic positive response in a patient's condition : miracle drug

So far, Prozac is acting as something of a wonder drug; it is highly effective, causes few dangerous side effects, and is already the most widely prescribed antidepressant after just 4 years on the market.

—Ruth Levy Guyer and Daniel E. Koshland, Jr.

Stodgy old aspirin suddenly appears to be a wonder drug. But as often happens in medicine, the news hype may have overreached in search of hope.

—Steven Findlay

Examples of wonder drug in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Waksal had been tipped that the FDA was not going to approve his wonder drug. —Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 30 Oct. 2024

With the entire world plunged into panic about a popular wonder drug that’s about to start killing people, Axel and Lazarus’ other operatives are the only people who might be able to find a solution. —Charles Pulliam-Moore, The Verge, 18 Oct. 2024

The blockbuster medications have been hailed as wonder drugs for their profound effects on diabetes and weight loss, but a growing number of doctors are concerned that the medications are triggering or worsening eating disorders in some people. —Liz Szabo, NBC News, 31 July 2024

The result is win-win for Trump, who can blame any loss on this wonder drug. —Philip Bump, Washington Post, 25 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1939, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

wonder drug

noun

: a usually newly discovered drug capable of producing a noticeable and favorable change in a patient's condition

called also miracle drug

Medical Definition

wonder drug

noun

won·​der drug ˈwənd-ər- 

: miracle drug