'alexipharmacum' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'alexipharmakon,' where 'alexi-' meant 'to ward off' and 'pharmakon' meant 'drug or poison.'

'alexipharmakon' transformed into the Latin word 'alexipharmacum,' and eventually became the modern English word 'alexipharmacum.'

Initially, it meant 'a remedy to ward off poison,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.