smart drug

American  

[smahrt druhg] / ˈsmɑrt ˌdrʌg /

noun

1. a drug that targets specific cells or organs.

   Most of our cancer patients are receptive to the idea of smart drugs.

2. nootropic.

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Etymology

Origin of smart drug

First recorded in 1990–95

Example Sentences

“We’re pretty clear that nicotine is not some smart drug or panacea for the normal range of human behavior and cognition,” Newhouse said.

From Salon • Jan. 9, 2026

And it shows that “understanding the detailed mechanisms at the atomic and molecular level should, in the future, help researchers find solutions in emerging biomedical applications—including smart drug delivery, nuclear magnetic imaging and phototherapy.”

From Scientific American • Nov. 17, 2021