Adverse Reaction
An unintended and undesirable effect produced by a drug
Allergen
A substance that is capable of causing an allergic reaction
Allergy
An abnormal hypersensitivity of the body to substances that are ordinarily harmless
Ampule
A small sealed glass container that holds a single dose of medication
Anaphylactic Reaction
A serious allergic reaction that requires immediate treatment
Autoimmune Disease
A condition in which the body's immune system produces antibodies that attack the body's own cells. The cause is unknown
Chemotherapy
The use of chemicals to treat disease. Chemotherapy is most often used to refer to the treatment of cancer using antineoplastic medications
Controlled Drug
A drug that has restrictions placed on it by the federal government because of its potential for abuse
Conversion
Changing from one system of measurement to another
Cubic Centimeter
The amount of space occupied by 1 milliliter (1 mL = 1 cc)
DEA Number
A registration number assigned to physicians by the Drug Enforcement Administration for prescribing or dispensing controlled drugs
Dose
The quality of a drug to be administered at one time
Drug
A chemical used for the treatment, prevention, or diagnosis of disease
Enteral Nutrition
The delivery of nutrients through a tube inserted into the gastrointestinal tract
Gauge
The diameter of the lumen of a needle used to administer medication
Hemophilia
An inherited bleeding disorder caused by a deficiency of a clotting factor needed for proper coagulation of the blood
Immune Globulin
A blood product consisting of pooled human plasma containing antibodies
Induration
An abnormally raised, hardened area of the skin with clearly defined margins
Infusion
The administration of fluids, medications, or nutrients into a vein
Inhalation Administration
The administration of medication by way of air or other vapor being drawn into the lungs
Inscription
The part of a prescription that indicates the name of the drug and the drug dosage
Intradermal Injection
Introduction of medication into the dermal layer of the skin
Intramuscular Injection
Introduction of medication into the muscular layer of the body
Intravenous Therapy
The administration of a liquid agent directly into a patient's vein, where it is distributed throughout the body by way of the circulatory system
Oral Administration
Administration of medication by mouth
Parenteral
Administration of medication by injection; refers to sites outside of the gastrointestinal tract; the most commonly used route of administering medication.
Pharmacology
The study of drugs
Prescription
A physician's order authorizing the dispensing of a drug by a pharmacist
Signatura
The part of a prescription that indicates the information to print on the medication label
Subcutaneous Injection
Introduction of medication beneath the skin, into the subcutaneous or fatty layer of the body
Sublingual Administration
Administration of medication by placing it under the tongue, where it dissolves and is absorbed through the mucous membrane
Subscription
The part of the prescription that gives directions to the pharmacist and usually designates the number of doses to dispense
Superscription
The part of a prescription consisting of the symbol Rx (from the Latin word recipe, meaning "take")
Topical Administration
Application of a drug to a particular spot, usually for a local action
Transfusion
The administration of whole blood or blood products through the intravenous route
Vial
A closed glass container with a rubber stopper that holds medication
Wheal
A tense, pale, raised area of the skin
Administered
Medication that is actually given to a patient at the office
Prescribed
A written or computer generated order for a medication to be filled at a pharmacy
Dispensed
Medications that are given to a patient for use at home
Package Insert (PI)
Patient Education material included with each individual medication that contains important information about the medication
Physician's Desk Reference (PDR)
Material gathered into a single source that includes information on most pharmaceutical products availible
US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Federal agency responsible for determining if new food products, drugs, vaccines, medical devices, cosmetics, and other products are safe for human use
Prescription Medications
Medications that have been determined to be safe and effective when used under the guidance of a physician
Nonprescription Medications
Medications that have been determined to be safe and effective for use without physician supervision
Chemical Name
Medication name that provides a precise description of the drug's chemical composition
Generic Name
Medication name assigned by the pharmaceutical manufacturer who develops the drug before it receives official approval by the FDA
Official Name
Medication name under which the drug is listed in official publications,
Brand Name
Medication name under which a pharmaceutical manufacturer markets a drug
Elixir
A drug that is dissolved in a solution of alcohol and water; sweetened and flavored and taken orally;
Dimetapp ------
Emulsion
A mixture of fats or oils in water;
Durazol Ophthalmic --------
Liniment
A drug combined with oil, soap, alcohol, or water; Applied externally using friction to produce a sensation of heat or warmth;
Heet --------
Lotion
An aqueous preparation that contains suspended ingredients; used to treat external skin conditions; work to sooth, protect, and moisten skin and destroy harmful bacteria
Caladryl ------
Solution
A ligiud preparation that contains one or more completely dissolved substances; The dissolved substance is known as the solute, and the liquid on which it is dissolved is known as the solvent; Most drugs administrated parenterally (by injection) in this f
Spirit
A drug combined with an alcoholic solution that is volatile (a substance that evaporates readily);
Aromatic ------ of ammonia
Spray
A fine stream of medicated vapor usually used to treat nose and throat conditions;
Dristan nasal -----
Suspension
A drug that contains solid insoluble drug preparations in a liquid; the preparation must be shaken before administration;
Amoxicillin Oral ----------
Suspension Aerosol
A pressurized form in which solid aerosol or liquid drug particles are suspended in a gas to be dispensed in a cloud or mist;
Proventil Inhalation -------
Syrup
A drug dissolved in a solution of sugar, water, and sometimes a flavoring to disguise an unpleasant taste;
Robitussin cough -----
Tincture
A drug dissolved in a solution of alcohol or alcohol and water;
-------- of iodine
Tablet
A powdered drug that has been pressed into a disc; Some are scored (they are marked with an indention so that they can be divided into halves or quarters for proper dosage;
Tylenol ------
Chewable Tablets
A powdered drug that has been flavored and pressed into a disc; Often used for antacids, antiflatulents, and children's medicines;
Pepto-Bismol -------- tablet
Sublingual Tablet
A powdered drug that has been pressed into a disc and is designed to dissolve under the tongue which permits its rapid absorption into the bloodstream;
Nitroglycerin ---------- tablet
Enteric-Coated Tablet
A tablet coated with a substance that prevents it from dissolving until it reaches the intestines; The coating protects the drug from being destroyed by gastric juices and prevents it from irritating the stomach lining;
Ecotrin -------_------ aspirin
Capsule
A drug contained in a gelatin capsule that is water soluble and functions to prevent the patient from tasting the drug;
Benadryl -------
Sustained-Release Capsule
A capsule that contains granules that dissolve at different rates to provide a gradual and continuous release of medication;
Sudafed 12-hour ---------_------- capsules
Caplet
A drug contained in an oblong tablet with a smooth coating to make swallowing easier;
Advil ------
Lozenge
A drug contained in a candy-like base; circular and are designed to dissolve on the tongue;
Chloraseptic throat -------
Cream
A drug combined in a base that is generally non-greasy, resulting in a semisolid preparation; applied externally to the skin;
Hydrocortizone topical -----
Ointment
A drug with an oil base, usually greasy, resulting in a semi solid preparation; applied externally to the skin;
Cortisporin topical --------
Suppository
A drug mixed with a firm base, such as cocoa butter, that is designed to melt at body temperature; shaped into a cylinder or a cone for easy insertion into a body cavity, such as the rectum or vagina;
Preparation H -----------
Transdermal Patch
A patch with an adhesive backing, which contains a drug that is applied to the skin; The drug enters the circulation after being absorbed through the skin;
Nitroglycerin -------
Weight
Refers to the heaviness of an item
Volume
Refers to the amount of space occupied by a substance
Length
Refers to a unit of linear measurement of one distance from one point to another