Term | Definition |
NARCOTIC | Anagesics class; used to relieve severe pain; may produce dependancy or tolerance. |
ANASTHETIC | class of drug that eliminates or reduces sensation; can be general or local. |
ANTIBIOTICS | a chemical substance that triggers an immune repsonse that kills or inhibits bacteria, fungi, and parasites. |
HEPARIN | Anticoagulant class; prevent clotting of blood; produced by liver cells. |
ANTICONVULSANTS | class of drug that prevents or reduces the frequency of convulsions; depress spontaneous activity of brain. |
ANTIDEPRESSANTS | Class of drug that treats symptoms of depression; elevate mood; mental alertness, and improve appetite. |
INSULIN | drug to treat diabetes mellitus (lowers blood sugar); body cannot produce insulin. |
INSULIN PUMP | device strapped to pateint's waist that periodically delivers the desired amount of insulin. |
NITROGLYCERIN | drug that acts on heart and coronary blood vessels to treat hypertension. |
BETA-BLOCKERS | vasodialate blood vessels and decrease blood output of the heart; reduces blood pressure. |
CHOLESTYRAMINE | lowers cholesterol by promoting its excretion in feces. |
DIURETICS | reduces the volume of blood by promoting the kidneys to remove excess water and salt through urine. |
ANDROGENS | used for male hormone replacement and to treat breast cancer in women; produced by testes and adrenal gland. |
ESTROGEN | female hormone produced by ovaries; prevent postmenopausal osteoporosis and chemotherapy of some types of cancer. |
ANTACIDS | neutralize the hydrochloric acid in the stomach |
LAXATIVES | relieve constipation and promote defecation for diagnostic and operative procedures. |
BRONCHODILATORS | open bronchial tubes and are administered by injection or aerosol inhalers. |
AMPHETAMINES | acts on the brain to speed up vital process in case of shock or collapse; increae alertness. |
TRANQUILIZERS | a class of drugs useful for controlling anxiety. |