Crossword Genius

It's taken as a medicine; not a diet properly (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

antidote

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'it's taken' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'a medicine not a diet properly' is the wordplay.
'not a diet' anagrams to 'ANTIDOTE'.
But, I'm not clear how this is indicated.

'as' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for antidote that I've seen before include "It counteracts poison" , "Counter-measure" , "Medicine countering a poison" , "Tied to an awful counteracting agent" , "It makes you feel better" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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