Term | Definition |
analgesic | relieves pain without causing loss of consciousness |
anesthetic | produces lack of feeling either locally or generally thruout body |
antacid | neutralizes stomach acid |
antianemic | replaces iron |
antianxiety | relieves anxiety |
antianginal | dilates coronary arteries to increas blood flow and reduce angina |
antiarrhythmic | controls cardiac arrhythmias |
antibiotic, antiinfective, antibacterial | destroys or inhibits growth of harmful microorganisms |
anticholinergic | blocks nerve impulses and muscular reactions (parkinsons or nausea) |
anticoagulant | prevents blood clotting |
anticonvulsnat | inhibits convulsions |
antidepressant | prevents or relieves symptoms of depression |
antidiabetic | lowers blood sugar or increases insulin sensitivity |
antidiarrheal | prevents or slows diarrhea |
antidepressant | prevents or relieves symptomsof depreesion |
antiemetic | prevents or relieves nausea and vomiting |
antifungal | destroys and inhibits fungal growth |
antihistamine | slows allergiv reactions by counteracting histamines |
antihypertensive | controls high blood pressure |
anti inflammatory, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (nsaid) | counteracts inflammation |
antineoplastic | destroys malignant cells |
antiparkinson | controls symptoms of parkinson's disease |
antipsychoti | controls symptoms of schizophrenia and some psychoses |
antipyretic | reduces fever |
antitubercular | decreases growth of microorganisms that cuase tuberculosis |
antitussive, expectorant | prevents and relieves coughing |
antiulcer | relieves and heals ulcers |
antiviral | controls growth of viral microorganisms |
barbiturate | controls epileptic seizures |
bronchodilator | dilates bronchial passages |
decongestant | reduces nasal congestion or swelling |
diuretic | increases excretion of urine |
hemostatic | controls or stops bleedin |
hynotic, sedative | produces sleep or hypnotic state |
hypoglycemic | lowers blood glucose levels |
laxative | loosens stool and promotes normal bowel elimination |
vasodialtor | decrease blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels |
absorb | to take into |
antidote | substance able to canel out unwanted effects of another substance |
buccally | inside cheek |
contraindicated | inadviable to use; might cause complicationswhen mixed with other drugs |
drug | biological or chemical agents that can air or alter body functions |
enteric coated | having coating that prevents stomach irritation |
exrete | to separate out and expel |
generic | sortened version of chemical name; official drug name |
infusion | adminsitration of fluid thru intraveous tube at slow and steady rate |
inhalation | taking in of drugs in fine spray of droplets |
inraarterial | injected directly into artery |
intracardiac | injected directlyinto heart muscle |
intradermal; intracutaneous | injected just beneath outer layer of skin |
intramuscular | injected deep into muscle tissue |
intraosseus | injected direclt into bone |
intraspinal; intrathecal | injected directlyinto spianl spaces |
medication | drug that serves a therpeutic purpose |
metabolize | to change chemically or physically to make useful |
oral administration | swallowin of pills or liquids by mouth |
otc | avaiable for sale without doctors prescription |
parenteral administration | administration by injection |
pharmacist | person licensed to dispense medications |
pharmacodynamics | study of how drugs affect body |
pharmacokinetics | study of how body absorbs metabolizes and excretes drugs |
pharmacology | science that studies develops and tests new drugs |
prescription | order given by doctor for medication dosage route and timing of admin |
brand name; trade name; proprietary name | name copyrighted by manufacturer for particular version of drug |
topically | on surface of skin |
syringse | instrument used for injection or withdrawl of fluids |
subcutaneous | injected into fatty later of tissue beneath outer layer of skin |
sublingually | under tongue |
suppository | drug mixed with semisolid melting substance mean for admin by insertin into vagina urethra or rectum |
toxicology | study of harmful effects of drugs |
vial | small receptable for holding lquid or pill medications |
vitamin | organic substance found in food |
chemo | chemical |
pyreto | fever |
aa | of each |
a.c. | before meals |
ad | up to |
a.d. | right ear |
ad lib | freely as often as desired |
am a.m. a | morning |
as left ear | left ear |
daw | dispense as writte |
dil. | dilute |
dc disc | discontinue |
div. | divide |
dw | distilled water |
dx | diagnosis |
d5w | dextrose 5% in water |
elix. | elixir |
e.m.p. | as directed |
ex aq. | in water |
ext. | extract |
fda | food and drug admin |
fld. ext. | fluid extract |
fuo | fever of unknown origin |
g gm | grain gram |
gtt | drop |
h | hypodermic |
h. | every hour |
h.s. | at bed time |
im | intramuscular |
inj | injection |
a.u. au | each ear |
bid b.i.d. | twice a day |
c | with |
cap. caps. | capsule |
cc.cc | cubic centimeter |
comp. | compound |
cx | contraindicated |
ml | milliliter |
n noct | night |
non rep. | do not repeat |
npo | nothing by mouth |
npo p mn | nothing by mouth after midnight |
n.s. ns | normal saline |
n & v | nausea and vomiting |
o.d. od | right eye |
oint. ung. | ointment, unguent |
o.l. | left eye |
o.s. | left eye |
otc | over the counter |
o.u. | each eye |
oz. | ounce |
p | post after |
p.c. | after meals |
pdr | physicians desk reference |
pm p.m. p | afternoon |
p.o. | by mouth |
prn p.r.n | repeat as needed |
pulv. pwdr | powder |
qam | every morning |
iv | intravenous |
mcg | microgram |
meq | miilliequivalent |
mg | milligram |
q.o.d. | every other day |
q.s. | sufficient quanitiy |
r | rectal |
s | without |
rx | prescription |
sol. soln. | solution |
ss | one half |
sp. | spirit |
s.o.s. | if there is need |
subc subq s.c. | subcutaneously |
supp. suppos | suppository |
u.s.p | united states pharmacopeia |
u.d. | as directed |
u | unit |
tsp. | teaspoonful |
tpr | temp pulse respirations |
tpn | total parenteral nutrition |
tinct. tr. tincture | tnicture |
t.i.d. | 3x day |
tbsp. | tablespoonful |
tab. | tablet |
syr. | syrup |
sym sx | symptom |
susp. | suspension |
qns | quanitiy not sufficient |
q.h. | every hour |
q.d. | every day |
q.i.d | 4x a day |
sig. | patient directions such as route and timing of medicaton |
sl | sublingual |