What do we call a medication designed to relieve symptoms rather than cure a disease?

A medication designed to relieve symptoms rather than cure a disease is termed palliative. This type of treatment focuses on providing comfort and improving the quality of life for patients who may be suffering from chronic or terminal conditions. Palliative care can help manage pain, alleviate distressing symptoms, and support the emotional and psychological needs of the patient.

In contrast, curative medications aim to completely eliminate a disease or condition. Preventive medications are intended to stop diseases from occurring in the first place, typically by mitigating risk factors. Therapeutic medications are those designed to treat or manage a disease but may not necessarily provide relief from symptoms without aiming for a cure. Thus, palliative is the most accurate term to describe medications focused on symptom management rather than disease elimination.