Pharmacology
Derived from the Greek words "pharmakon," meaning remedy, and "logos," meaning knowledge, the word lossely translates to "the knowledge of drugs.
Pharmacokinetics
A branch of pharmacology refering to the rate of drug Absorption, Distributiion, Metabolism, and Excretion. (ADME)
Pharmodynamics
A branch of pharmacology referring to the biological and physical effects of the drug on the body.
Brand Name
A propriety name protected by a patent. This is often referred to as the manufacture's trademarked name.
Generic Name
A nonpropriety name approved by the United States Adopted Name Council (USAN). THe generic drug must have the same active ingredient, dosage strength, and formulation as the brand name drug, but it may have different inactive ingredients.
Chemical Name
A name given to a drug during the initial clinical investigation, refering to its atomic or molecular structure.
Dosage Form
The physical manifestation of the drug or how the drug is supplied.
Drug Classification
Drugs are grouped by their common actions and effects on the body. (e.g., anti-infection, anxiolytic, analgesic)
Therapeutic Equivalence
The drugs must be proven to be safe and effective, and they must be deemed as pharmaceutically equivalent. This means that identical amounts of active dru are present. The doesage form and route must also be the same. Standards of strenght, purity, and qu
Side Effects
Secondary effects of the drug other than the primary therapeutic effect it was originally intended for.
Drug Interactions
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