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Chapter 08, MedTerms
Drugs
Term | Definition |
---|---|
anaphylaxis | An extreme allergic reaction that can lead to respiratory distress, circulatory collapse, and death |
antagonist | A substance that interferes with or opposes the action of a drug |
brand name | The trade or proprietary name of a drug, a registered trademark of the manufacturer; written with an initial capital letter |
contraindication | A factor that makes the use of a drug undesirable or dangerous |
drug | A substance that alters body function |
efficacy | The power to produce a specific result; effectiveness |
generic name | The nonproprietary name of a drug; that is, a name that is not privately owned or trademarked; usually a simplified version of the chemical name; not capitalized |
phytomedicine | Another name for herbal medicine (root phyt/o meaning "plant") |
potentiation | Increased potency created by two drugs acting together |
prescription (Rx) | Written and signed order for a drug with directions for its administration |
side effect | A result of drug therapy or other therapy that is unrelated to or an extension of its intended effect; usually applies to an undesirable effect of treatment |
substance dependence | A condition that may result from chronic use of a drug, in which a person has a chronic or compulsive need fora drug regardless of its adverse effects; dependence may be psychologic or physical |
synergy | Combined action of two or more drugs working together to produce an effect greater than any of the drugs could produce when acting alone; also called synergism; adjective: synergistic |
tolerance | A condition in which chronic use of a drug results in loss of effectiveness and the dose must be increased to produce the original response |
withdrawal | A condition that results from abrupt cessation or reduction of a drug that has been used regularly |
-lytic (adjective of lysis) | dissolving, reducing, loosening |
-mimetic | mimicking, simulating |
-tropic | acting on |
anti- | against |
contra- | against, opposite, opposed |
counter- | against, opposed |
alg/o, algi/o, algesi/o | pain |
chem/o | chemical |
hypn/o | sleep |
narc/o | stupor |
pharm, pharmac/o | drug, medicine |
pyr/o, pyret/o | fever |
tox/o, toxic/o | poison, toxin |
vas/o | vessel |
APAP | Acetaminophen |
ASA | Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) |
ASHP | American Society of Health System Pharmacists |
cap | Capsule |
elix | Elixir |
FDA | Food and Drug Administration |
INH | Isoniazid (antituberculosis drug) |
MED(s) | Medicine(s), medication(s) |
NSAID(s) | Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug(s) |
ODS | Office of Dietary Supplements |
OTC | Over-the-counter |
PDR | Physicians' Desk Reference |
Rx | Prescription |
supp | Suppository |
susp | Suspension |
tab | Tablet |
tinct | Tincture |
ung | Ointment |
USP | United States Pharmacopeia |
a̅ | Before (Latin, ante) |
a̅a̅ | Of each (Greek, ana) |
ac | Before meals (Latin, ante cibum) |
ad lib | As desired (Latin, ad libitum) |
aq | Water (Latin, aqua) |
bid, b.i.d. | Twice a day (Latin, bis in die) |
c̅ | With (Latin, cum) |
DAW | Dispense as written |
D/C, dc | Discontinue |
DS | Double strength |
hs | At bedtime (Latin, hora somni) |
ID | Intradermal(ly) |
IM | Intramuscular(ly) |
IU | International unit |
IV | Intravenous(ly) |
LA | Long-acting |
mcg | Microgram |
mg | Milligram |
mL | Milliliter |
p | After, post |
pc | After meals (Latin, post cibum) |
po, PO | By mouth (Latin, per os) |
pp | Postprandial (after a meal) |
prn | As needed (Latin, pro re nata) |
qam | Every morning (Latin, quaque ante meridiem) |
qh | Every hour (Latin, quaque hora) |
q_h | Every _ hours |
qid, q.i.d. | Four times a day (Latin, quater in die) |
"s" with a line over it | Without (Latin, sine) |
SA | Sustained action |
SC, SQ, subcut | Subcutaneous(ly) |
SL | Sublingual(ly) |
SR | Sustained release |
"ss" with a line over it | Half (Latin, semis) |
tid, t.i.d. | Three times per day (Latin, ter in die) |
U | Unit(s) |
x | Times |
adrenergics | Mimic the action of the sympathetic nervous system, which responds to stress; used to treat bronchospasms, allergic reactions, hypotension |
analgesics | Alleviate pain |
narcotics | Decrease pain sensation in central nervous system; chronic use may lead to physical dependence |
nonnarcotics | Act peripherally to inhibit prostaglandins (local hormones); they may also be antiinflammatory and antipyretic (reduce fever); Cox-2 inhibitors limit an enzyme that causes inflammation without affecting a related enzyme that protects the stomach lining |
anesthetics | Reduce or eliminate sensation (esthesi/o) |
anticoagulants | Prevent coagulation and formation of blood clots |
anticonvulsants | Suppress or reduce the number and/or intensity of seizures |
antidiabetics | Prevent or alleviate diabetes |
antiemetics | Relieve symptoms of nausea and prevent vomiting (emesis) |
antihistamines | Prevent responses mediated by histamine: allergic and inflammatory reactions |
antihypertensives | Lower blood pressure by reducing cardiac output dilating vessels, or promoting excretion of water by the kidneys. ACE inhibitors block production of a substance that raises blood pressure; ARBs interfere with the action of that substance. |
antiinflammatory drugs | Counteract inflammation and swelling |
corticosteroids | Hormones from the cortex of the adrenal gland; used for allergy, respiratory and blood diseases, injury, and malignancy; suppress the immune system |
nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) | Reduce inflammation and pain by interfering with synthesis of prostaglandins; also antipyretic |
antiinfective agents | Kill or prevent the growth of infectious organisms |
antibacterials | Effective against bacteria |
antifungals | Effective against fungi |
antiparasitics | Effective against parasites—protozoa, worms |
antivirals | Effective against viruses |
antineoplastics | Destroy cancer cells; they are toxic for all cells but have greater effect on cells that are actively growing and dividing; hormones and hormone inhibitors also are used to slow tumor growth |
cardiac drugs | Act on the heart |
antiarrhythmics | Correct or prevent abnormalities of heart rhythm |
beta-adrenergic blockers (beta-blockers) | Inhibit sympathetic nervous system; reduce rate and force of heart contractions |
calcium-channel blockers | Dilate coronary arteries, slow heart rate, reduce contractions |
hypolipidemics | Lower cholesterol in patients with high serum levels that cannot be controlled with diet alone; hypocholesterolemics, statins |
nitrates; antianginal agents | Dilate coronary arteries and reduce heart's workload by lowering blood pressure and reducing venous return |
CNS stimulants | Stimulate the central nervous system |
diuretics | Promote excretion of water, sodium, and other electrolytes by the kidneys; used to reduce edema and blood pressure; loop diuretics act on the kidney tubules |
gastrointestinal drugs | Act on the digestive tract |
antidiarrheals | Treat or prevent diarrhea by reducing intestinal motility or absorbing irritants and soothing the intestinal lining |
histamine H2 antagonists | Decrease stomach acid secretion by interfering with the action of histamine at H2 receptors; used to treat ulcers and other gastrointestinal problems |
laxatives | Promote elimination from the large intestine; types include: stimulants, hyperosmotics (retain water), stool softeners, bulk-forming agents |
proton pump inhibitors | Reduce stomach acidity by blocking transport of hydrogen ions (protons) into the stomach |
muscle relaxants | Depress nervous system stimulation of skeletal muscles; used to control muscle spasms and pain |
psychotropics | Affect the mind, altering mental activity, mental state, or behavior |
antianxiety agents | Reduce or dispel anxiety; tranquilizers; anxiolytic agents |
antidepressants | Relieve depression by raising brain levels of neurotransmitters (chemicals active in the nervous system) |
antipsychotics | Act on nervous system to relieve symptoms of psychoses |
respiratory drugs | Act on the respiratory system |
antitussives | Suppress coughing |
asthma maintenance drugs; bronchodilators | Used for prevention of asthma attacks and chronic treatment of asthma; prevent or eliminate spasm of the bronchi (breathing tubes) by relaxing bronchial smooth muscle; used to treat asthma attacks and bronchitis |
expectorants | Induce productive coughing to eliminate respiratory secretions |
mucolytics | Loosen mucus to promote its elimination |
sedatives/hypnotics | Induce relaxation and sleep; lower (sedative) doses promote relaxation leading to sleep; higher (hypnotic) dose induce sleep; antianxiety agents also used |
aloe | part used: leaf; treatment for burns and minor skin irritations |
black cohosh | part used: root; reduction of menopausal hot flashes |
chamomile | part used: flower; antiinflammatory, gastrointestinal antispasmodic, sedative |
echinacea | parts used: all; may reduce severity and duration of colds, may stimulate the immune system, used topically for wound healing |
evening primrose oil | part used: seed; source of essential fatty acids important for the health of the cardiovascular system; treatment of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), rheumatoid arthritis, skin disorders |
flax | part used: seed; source of fatty acids important in maintaining proper lipids (e.g., cholesterol) in the blood |
ginger | part used: root; relief of nausea and motion sickness, treatment of colds and sore throat |
ginkgo | part used: leaf; improves blood circulation in and function of the brain, improves memory, used to treat dementia, antianxiety agent, protects the nervous system |
ginseng | part used: root; stress reduction, lowers blood cholesterol and blood sugar |
green tea | part used: leaf; antioxidant, acts against cancer of the gastrointestinal tract and skin, oral antimicrobial agent, reduces dental caries |
kava | part used: root; antianxiety agent, sedative |
milk thistle | parts used: seeds; protects the liver against toxins, antioxidant |
saw palmetto | parts used: berries; used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) |
slippery elm | part used: bark; as lozenge for throat irritation, for gastrointestinal irritation and upset, protects irritated skin |
soy | part used: bean; rich source of nutrients; protective estrogenic effects in menopausal symptoms; osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, cancer prevention |
St. John's wort | part used: flower; treatment of anxiety and depression, has antibacterial and antiviral properties (note: this product can interact with a variety of drugs) |
tea tree oil | part used: leaf; antimicrobial; used to heal cuts, skin infections, burns |
valerian | part used: root; sedative, sleep aid |
absorption | drug taken into the circulation through the digestive tract or by transfer across another membrane |
inhalation | administration through the respiratory system, as by breathing in an aerosol or nebulizer spray |
instillation | liquid is dropped or poured slowly into a body cavity or on the surface of the body, such as into the ear or onto the conjuctiva of the eye |
oral | given by mouth; per os (po) |
rectal | administered by rectal suppository or enema |
sublingual (SL) | administered under the tongue |
topical | applied to the surface of the skin |
transdermal | absorbed through the skin, as from a patch placed on the surface of the skin |
injection | administered by a needle and syringe; described as parenteral routes of administration |
epidural | injected into the space between the meninges (membranes around the spinal cord) and the spine |
hypodermoclysis | administration of a solution by subcutaneous infusion; useful for fluid delivery as an alternative for intravenous infusion |
intradermal (ID) | injected into the skin |
intramuscular (IM) | injected into a muscle |
intravenous (IV) | injected into a vein |
spinal (intrathecal) | injected through the meninges into the spinal fluid |
subcutaneous (SC) | injected beneath the skin; hypodermic |
aerosol | solution dispersed as a mist to be inhaled |
aqueous solution | substance dissolved in water |
elixir (elix) | a clear, pleasantly flavored and sweetened hydroalcoholic liquid intended for oral use |
emulsion | a mixture in which one liquid is dispersed but not dissolved in another liquid |
lotion | solution prepared for topical use |
suspension (susp) | fine particles dispersed in a liquid, must be shaken before use |
tincture (tinct) | substance dissolved in an alcoholic solution |
cream | a semisolid emulsion used topically |
ointment (ung) | drug in a base that keeps it in contact with the skin |
capsule (cap) | material in a gelatin container that dissolves easily in the stomach |
lozenge | a pleasant-tasting medicated tablet or disk to be dissolved in the mouth, such as a cough drop |
suppository (supp) | substance mixed and molded with a base that melts easily when inserted into a body opening |
tablet (tab) | a solid dosage form containing a drug in a pure state or mixed with a nonactive ingredient and prepared by compression or molding, also called a pill |
ampule | a small sealed glass or plastic container used for sterile intravenous solutions |
bolus | a concentrated amount of a diagnostic or therapeutic substance given rapidly intravenously |
catheter | a thin tube that can be passed into a body cavity, organ, or vessel |
syringe | an instrument for injecting fluid |
vial | a small glass or plastic container |