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Medical Terms A - C
http://www.pharmacy-tech-test.com/medical-terms-definitions.html
Term | Definition |
---|---|
Absorption Rate | The amount of time it takes after a drug is administered for it to enter the bloodstream. |
acute | Usually refers to a condition that has a fast onset time, severe affect, and short course of duration. |
Admixture | Two or more drugs blended or mixed together to create a desired substance or solution. |
Adverse Reaction | When the body has an undesired or negative response to a medication or drug-drug interaction. |
Agonist | A drug that triggers a receptor to produce a physiologic response. An easy way to remember the difference is: Agonists try to make things happen, Antagonists try to stop things from happening. |
Allegation | An unofficial Math maneuver that can be used to determine ratios for compounding. |
Amphetamine | Central nervous system stimulant prescribed for the treatment of : ADHD, Narcolepsy, Obesity and other conditions. Also known as "Speed", Amphetamines are highly addictive and DEA controlled. |
Ampule | A (small) sealed glass vial that is to be 'broken' open and normally contains injection solution. |
Analgesic | Often referred to as "pain relievers", Analgesics are drug used to reduce or suppress pain. (ex. Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Oxycodone, etc.) |
Anaphylactic Shock | The body's reaction to Anaphylaxis caused by your immune system. |
Anaphylaxis | The body's reaction to Anaphylaxis caused by your immune system. |
Anestetic | Drugs that create an insensitivity to pain by blocking nerve transmission to the brain. |
Antagonist | Drugs designed to block a receptor-mediated effect created by neurotransmitters. An easy way to remember the difference is: Agonists try to make things happen, Antagonists try to stop things from happening. |
Anticoagulant | A drug that is used to decrease or prevent the formation of blood clots |
Anticonvulsant | These are drugs used to help prevent seizures or to lessen the severity of a seizure. |
Antiemetic | Drugs used to prevent, alleviate or suppress nausea and vomiting. |
Antihistamine | Drugs used to counteract the immune systems histamine reaction to allergy or respiratory illness. |
Antineoplastic | Drugs prescribed to slow the growth of malignant tumors |
Antipyretic | Drugs used to relieve or prevent muscle spasms. |
Antispasmotic | Drugs used to relieve or prevent muscle spasms. |
Antitussive | Another word for pharmacist. However, it also refers to a system of weights and measures. |
Aqueous | Refers to when something is, or to be water based. |
Aseptic Technique | A sanitation practice performed with a goal of minimizing contamination by pathogens |
Auxiliary Label | Additional labels placed on prescription packaging that provide supplementary information, various warnings, routes of administrations, etc. |
AWP (Average Wholesale Price) | Found in the Redbook, the AWP of a drug is the average price at which drugs are purchased at the wholesale level. It is mainly used to determine third-party reimbursement. |
Bactericidal | Drugs that destroy / kill bacteria. |
Bacteriostatic | Drugs that slow down or inhibit the duplication (growth) of bacteria. |
Bio-Availability | The rate which a drug is made available to the target site of physiological activity |
Bio-Equivalence | When a drug has the same biological effect / efficacy / bioavailability as a a similar drug with a different formulation |
Bronchodilator | - A drug that widens passages in the lungs to ease breathing. |
Buccal | Tablet held between the cheek and gum which dissolves, thereby permitting quicker absorption |
CC | Abbreviation for cubic centimeter = Same as 1 mL (Milliliter |
Celsius Centigrade | Standard measure of temperature in Science / Metric system. Water freezes at 0 and boils at 100. |
Closed Formulary | A program where drugs not listed in the Formulary require prior authorization or may not be covered whatsoever by the insurer. |
Coinsurance | A cost-sharing method where a patient pays only a percentage for medication after their deductible is met, and their insurer pays the rest. |
Chronic | Refers to an illness that persists for a long period of time or frequent re-occurence. |
Communicable | Refers to illness / disease that is contagious or transmittable to others. |
Compound | A final substance (or solution) made from two or more substances |
Compounding | The creation of a particular drug mixture to fit the unique need of a patient. |
Controlled Release (CR) | Refers to drugs formulations designed to release gradually over a specific time. |
Controlled Substance - | - In the U.S., it refers to drugs that are regulated by the Drug Enforcement Agency. |
Co-Pay | A set dollar amount a patient must pay for a prescription out-of-pocket when it's dispensed. |