Patent medicine refers to medicinal products that were sold to the public without a prescription and often claimed to cure various ailments. These products were typically marketed with bold claims and catchy names, making them appealing to consumers. They were widely available in the 19th and early 20th centuries, often containing a mix of ingredients, including alcohol, opiates, and other substances. The term "patent" in this context does not refer to a legal patent but rather to the idea that the formula was proprietary. Many patent medicines were later found to be ineffective or harmful, leading to increased regulation and the eventual establishment of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States to ensure the safety and efficacy of medical products.