pharmacokinetics
calculation of drug concentration in tissues and body fluids over a period of time
chemotherapy
use of drugs in the treatment of disease
toxicology
study of the harmful effects of drugs
pharmacodynamics
study of drug effects in the body
molecular pharmacology
measurement of drug concentrations in tissues and in blood over time
rectal
drug is administered via suppository or fluid into the anus
inhalation
drug is administered via vapor or gas into the nose or mouth
sublingual
drug is administered under the tongue
topical
drug is applied locally on skin or mucous membrane
oral administration
drug is given by mouth and absorbed through the stomach or intestine
parenteral administration
drug is injected via syringe under the skin, into a vein, muscle or cavity
antipruritic
an agent that aids in relieving itching
intrathecal
with in a sheath
antiseptic
fights against infection
aerosol
a solution of particles in the air (gas or vapor)
subcutaneous
under the skin
cathartic
relieves constipation
antiemetic
prevents nausea and vomiting
narcotic
habit forming drug that relieves pain by producing stupor/insensibility. (Opium, morphine)
beta-blocker
blocks the action of epinephrine
bronchodilator
open bronchial tubes (administered by injection and inhalers)
antihistamine
relieves allergic symptoms
antibiotic
penicillin or erythromycin
barbiturate
sedative
analgesic
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug; relieves pain
phenothahiazines
tranquilizer
stimulant
caffeine or amphetamines
vasodilator
drug that widens blood vessels
antianginal
drug that reduces blood pressure
digoxin
drug that strengthens the force and efficiency of the heartbeat
vasoconstrictor
drug that narrows blood vessels
cholesterol-lowering drug
drug that reduces lipids in blood
diuretic
drug that promotes excretion of urine, lowering blood pressure
stimulant
agent that excites and promotes activity
emetic
drug that promotes vomiting
anaphylaxis
exaggerated hypersensitivity reaction to a previously encountered drug or foreign protein
generic
legal, non-commercial name for a drug
toxicity
harmful effects of a drug
antirrhythmic
drugs that restores heart to a regular cycle
topical
drugs that are applied locally on the skin
addictive action
the combination of two similar drugs is equal to the sum of the effects of each
diuretic
an agent that lowers blood pressure by increasing the release of urine
narcotic
a habit-forming drug that produces sleep and stupor
amphetamine
CNS stimulant
hypodermic
pertaining to under the skin
laxative
a drug that relieves constipation
antipyretic
pertaining to an agent that reduces fever
anticoagulent
an agent that prevents or delays blood clotting
glucocorticoid
hormone from the adrenal cortex that raises blood sugar
toxicology
the study of poisonous effects of drugs
intrathecal
pertaining to within a sheath or within the membranes surrounding the spinal cord
brand name
commercial name for a drug; trademark or trade name
addiction
physical and physiological dependence on and craving for a drug
aerosol
particles of a drug suspended in air
chemical name
chemical formula for a drug
contraindication
factor in the patient's condition that prevents the use of a particular drug or treatment
antidote
agent given to counteract an unwanted effect of a drug
addictive action
drug action in which the combination of two similar drugs is equal to the sum of the effects of each
medical chemistry
study of new drug synthesis; relationship between chemical structure ond biological effects
iatrogenic
condition caused by treatment given by physicians or medical personnel
inhalation
administration of drugs in gaseous or vapor form through the nose or mouth
molecular pharmacology
study of interaction of drugs and their target molecules, enzymes, or cell surgace receptors
pharmacy
location for preparing and dispensing drugs
pharmacist
specialist in preparing and dispensing drugs
idiosyncrasy
unexpected effect produced in a particularly sensitive individuals but not seen in most patients
pharmacodynamics
study of the effects and strength of a drug within the body
rectal administration
drugs are inserted through the anus into the rectum
pharmacology
study of the preparation, properties, uses and actions of drugs
receptor
target substance with which a drug interacts in the body
syringe
instrument for introducing or withdrawing fluids from the body
synergism
combination of two drugs causes an effect that is greater than the sum of the individual effects of each drug alone
Physician's Desk Reference (PDR)
drug products are listed and described in the book
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Government agency having the legal responsibility for enforcing proper drug manufacturer and clinical use
sublingual administration
drugs are given by placement under the tongue
side effect
adverse reaction that routinely results from use of a drug
ACE inhibitor
drug that lowers blood pressure
antacid
neutralizes acid in the stomach
emetic
drug that promotes vomiting
hypnotic
drug that produces sleep or trance-like state
bisphosphonate
drug that prevents bone loss and osteropenia
cathartic
drug that relieves constipation
calcium channel blocker
drug that is antirryhthmic, anti hypertensive, and antianginal; blocks receptors in blood vessels
caffeine
CNS stimulant
beta-blocker
drug that blocks the entrance of calcium into heart muscle and lining of blood vessels; antirrythmic, anti hypertensive, and antianginal
aromatase inhibitor
reduces estrogen in the blood by blocking an enzyme
antiplatelet
reduces the ability of thrombocytes to stick together and form a clot
purgative
drug that relieves constipation; strong cathartic and laxative
thyroid hormone
secretion from the endocrine gland in the neck; stimulates cellular metabolism
progestin
female hormone that stimulates the uterine lining during pregnancy