Term | Definition |
Absorption | Taking in of nutrients and drugs from food and liquids |
Additive effect | Increased drug effect that is produced when a second similar drug is added to the therapy |
Allegation | Mathmatical method of solving problems that involves the mixing of solutions or solids possessing different percentage weighs |
Antagonism | Drug-drug interaction or drug-food interaction that causes decreased effects |
Apothecary system | System of measurement used in the practice of pharmacy to measure both volume and weight |
Avoirdupois system | System of measurement used in pharmacy for the determination of weight in ounces and pounds |
Behind the counter | Non-prescription drugs that are kept behind the pharmacy counter limiting dispensing |
Bioequivalence | Relationship between two drugs that have the same dosage and dosage form that have similar bioavailability |
Bioavailability | Degree to which a drug becomes available to the target tissue after administration |
Diluent | Inert product that is added to a preparation and reduces the strength of the original product |
Dilution | Process of adding a diluents or solvent to a compound, resulting in a product of increased volume or weight and lower concentration |
Distribution | Location of a medication throughout blood, organs, and tissue after administration |
Drug Contraindication | Condtions under which a drug is not indicated and should not be administered |
Drug-disease contraindication | Adminstration of the drug should be avoided because it may worsen the patient's medical condition |
Drug-drug interaction | Reaction that occurs when two or more drugs are administered at the same time |
Drug-food interaction | Altered drug response that occurs when a drug is administered with certain foods |
Excretion | Final elimination of a drug from the body via normal body process |
Half-life | Amount of time it takes a drug to be decreased by one half |
Household system | System of measurement that measures volumes using household utensils |
Instill | Place into; used for administration of ophthalmics or otics |
International time | 24-hour method of keeping time in which hours are not distinguished between AM and PM |
International system of units | System of measurement based upon multiples of 10 |
Medication error | Error made in the process of prescribing, preparing, dispensing or administering drug therapy |
Metabolism | Processes by which the body breaks down medications to active or inactive substances |
Metric system | Approved system of measurement for pharmacy based on multiples of 10 |
Parenteral medication | Medication administered by injection or topically that bypasses the gastrointestinal system |
Pharmacokinetics | Study of the absorption, metabolism, distribution and excretion of drugs |
Potentiation | Process where on drug increases the effect of another drug |
Solvent | Inert product that is added to a preparation and reduces the strength of the original product |
Synergistic effects | Interaction between two drugs that produce an effect that is greater than would be produced if either drug were administered alone |
Therapeutic Duplication | Administration of two drugs that produce similar effects and side effects |
Volume | Amount of liquid enclosed within a container |