noun
nasal medicine; nose spray
Literal medical use: medicine applied to or through the nose, such as sprays or drops.
花粉症がひどいので、鼻薬を使っています。
My hay fever is bad, so I'm using a nasal spray.
noun
Figurative use: money or favor given to keep someone quiet or to buy influence. Often used in the phrase 鼻薬を嗅がせる (to give a bribe).
役人に鼻薬を嗅がせて、うまく許可を取ったらしい。
It seems he got the permit by bribing the official.
noun
pacifying treat; soothing sweets
Colloquial, often used for giving a child a small treat or money to stop crying or to distract them.
泣いている子に鼻薬として飴をあげた。
I gave the crying child a candy as a pacifier.