Term | Definition |
Absorption | The process which a drug is taken into the body, moving from site of administration into the blood. |
Adverse Effect | The undesired, potentially harmful side effects of drugs.
Example: N&V, drug toxicity, hypersensitivity, or idiosyncratic reactions. |
Agonist | Drugs that bind to or have an attraction for a receptor and cause a particular response. |
Antagonist | Drugs that bind to a receptor and prevent a response ; also called receptor blockers. |
Bioavailability | Degree to which a drug molecule reaches site of action to exert its effects. |
Biotechnology | Concepts of genetic engineering and recombinant DNA technology; Use of living organisms or biological processes in technical industrial applications. |
Biotransformation | Chemical composition of a drug changed by a process called metabolism; The chemical alteration that a substance undergoes in the body |
Bolus | Concentrated mass of diagnostic substance given rapidly intravenously, like opaque contrast medium or IV medications; Drugs given all as once |
Contraindication | Reasons against giving a particular drug; Any symptom or circumstance that makes treatment with a drug or device unsafe or inappropriate. |
Distribution | Drug molecules that diffuse out of the blood stream to the site of action; |
Duration | The time between onset and disappearance of drug effects. |
Emulsion | Liquid medication form in which the medication is contained in a mixture of water and oil, bound together with an emulsifier; mixture of 2 liquids not mutually soluble, if not shaken divides globules into discontinuous or dispersed phases. |
Enteral | Medication administration route in which medication is taken into the gastrointestinal tract, primarily by mouth/orally. |
Excretion | When medications taken into the body get eliminated; The elimination of waste products from the body. |
Hypersensitivity | An adverse effect resulting fro previous exposure to the drug or a similar drug. |
Idiosyncratic Effect | Rare and unpredictable adverse reaction to drugs. |
Indication | Reason or purpose for giving a medication; an approved use for a drug. |
Local Effect | An effect occurring at site of application of topical or therapeutic agents. |
Onset | The time between administration of drug and the first appearance of effects. |
Parenteral | Any medication administration route other than digestive tract; most common are subcutaneous, intramuscular, and intravenous. |
Pharmacodynamics | Study of what drugs do to the body ( how drugs affect the body); Study of drugs and their actions on living organisms. |
Pharmacokinetics | Study of what the body does to drugs ( how the body processes drugs); The study of the metabolism and action of drugs with particular emphasis on the 4 basic physiologic processes: absorption, distribution, biotransformation, & excretion. |
Plasma Protein Binding | When drug molecules bind to the proteins albumins or globulins contained in plasma (liquid portion of blood). |
Reconstituted | Mixing of powder medications with a liquid to form a solution that can be administered by injection;The process of adding a diluent to a powdered medication to prepare a solution or suspension. |
Side Effect | Predictable but unintended effect of a drug (example is drowsiness, nausea, headache, or insomnia); An action or effect of a drug other than that desired. |
Solubility | Ability of a drug to be dissolved |
Solution | Mixture of drug particles fully dissolved in a liquid medium; a liquid containing a dissolved substance or drug particles. |
Suspension | A form in which solid undissolved particles float in a liquid; State of a solid when its particles are mixed with, but not yet dissolved in, a fluid or another solid or substance. |
Synergist | A drug that enhances the effect of another drug; |
Systemic Effect | An effect occurring throughout the entire body from topical or therapeutic agents. |
Topical | Medications that are applied to the skin surface or a mucous membrane lined cavity. |
Controlled Substances | Drugs that are regulated by state and federal laws and may be declared illegal for sale or use, but may b dispensed under a physician's prescription. |
Narcotics | Drugs that depress the central nervous system, relieving pain and producing sleep. Examples: Opium, Morphine, codeine, Papaverine, and Heroin. |
DEA | Drug Enforcement Administration of Department of Justice, established to enforce Controlled Substances Act; Sets standards for handling controlled substances and has legal authority to enforce those standards. |
FDA | U.S. Food and Drug Administration- They developed classification system related to medications' effects on unborn children and are the official regulatory for foods, drugs, cosmetics, and medical devices. |
The Joint Commission | Once known as Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations/ JACHO- evaluates and accredits health care facilities and sets policies such as National Patient Safety Goals. |
OTC | Over-the-Counter drugs- Medications that do not require a prescription. |
PDR | Physician's Desk Reference- An annual compendium of information concerning drugs, primarily prescription and diagnostic products. |
USP-NF | United States Pharmacopeia and National Formulary- Official medication list recognized by the U.S government. It lists standards for medication quality, safety , and effectiveness, also physical and chemical characteristics of listed medications. |