designer drug

noun
1.
a drug produced by a minor modification in the chemical structure of an existing drug, resulting in a new substance with similar pharmacologic effects, especially one created to achieve the same effect as a controlled or illegal drug.
Origin
1980-85
Examples from the web for designer drug
  • He also explained concerns and availability of designer drug products.
  • It is known as a designer drug because it is created for the purpose of making someone feel high.
British Dictionary definitions for designer drug

designer drug

noun
1.
any of various narcotic or hallucinogenic substances manufactured illegally from a range of chemicals
2.
(med) a drug designed to act on a specific molecular target
designer drug in Medicine

designer drug de·sign·er drug (dĭ-zī'nər)
n.
A drug with properties and effects similar to a known hallucinogen or narcotic but having a slightly altered chemical structure, especially such a drug created in order to evade restrictions against illegal substances.

designer drug in Science
designer drug
  (dĭ-zī'nər)   
Any of various drugs with properties and effects similar to a known hallucinogen or narcotic but having a slightly altered chemical structure, especially such a drug created in order to evade restrictions against illegal substances.
designer drug in Culture

designer drug definition


A drug that is manufactured to target a specific molecule in the body, for example, to treat a specific disease or condition.

Note: Some believe that these drugs are the future of the pharmaceutical industry, in that a drug will be tailored to an individual's unique genome.
Slang definitions & phrases for designer drug

designer drug

noun phrase

A synthesized narcotic, often of much higher potency than those produced from plants: These new ''designer drugs'' or ''super narcotics'' are triply dangerous/ Out here urine testing has spawned the ''designer'' drug game (1980s+)