Why is "Rx" the symbol for drugs?

Question

How did it originate?

Answer 1

Definition of Rx

Rx: A medical prescription. The symbol "Rx" is usually said to stand for the Latin word "recipe" meaning "to take." It is customarily part of the superscription (heading) of a prescription.

Another explanation for the origin of Rx is that it was derived from the astrological sign for Jupiter which was once placed on prescriptions to invoke that god's blessing on the drug to help the patient recover.

A prescription for medicine or a medical appliance.
A remedy, cure, or solution for a disorder or problem.
[Alteration of ℞, symbol used in prescriptions, abbreviation of Latin recipe, singular imperative of recipere, to take. See receive.]

Answer 2

I think wiki answers this the best:

"℞" (also written as "Rx") and "medical prescription" are sometimes used interchangeably. The use of ℞ in prescriptions originated as an astrological symbol that was written for talismanic reasons at the start of medical prescriptions. Later it changed into ℞ (an uppercase R with its tail crossed), and was used as an abbreviation for the Latin word recipe = "take" (imperative), i.e. an instruction to the pharmacist to take the items listed in order to prepare the medicine. When printing came, it was rendered as "Rx"

Answer 3

Rx was the abbreviation for the Latin word"recipe" which meant to take

Answer 4

I beleive " Rx" is original, and you need a Perscription
to get it. I think the Companys made them for the money,
with all the sickness we have in our country, they needed to make drugs to help the sick. It just got out of hand.

Answer 5

yes if it had rx on the bottle i would think it was drugs

Answer 6

Because M&M was taken. ;)