Inorganic Pharmacy Terminology

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering key inorganic pharmacy terms and their definitions for exam preparation.

Abrasives

Drugs used for cleaning and whitening teeth (e.g., dibasic calcium phosphate).

Absorbents

Drugs that absorb toxins and bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract (e.g., calcium carbonate).

Acidifiers

Agents that temporarily increase gastric acidity (e.g., dilute hydrochloric acid).

Adsorbents

Agents that adsorb gases, toxins, and bacteria in the GIT to manage mild diarrhoea or dysentery (e.g., bismuth subcarbonate).

Alkalizers

Agents that induce or restore alkalinity in the body (e.g., sodium citrate).

Anesthetics

Drugs producing reversible loss of sensation (e.g., nitrous oxide).

Analgesics

Drugs that relieve pain (e.g., nitrous oxide).

Antacids

Alkaline substances that neutralise excess stomach acid (e.g., aluminium hydroxide gel).

Anthelmintics

Compounds used to treat worm infestations (e.g., ammoniated mercury).

Antibacterial

Agents used to treat bacterial infections (e.g., yellow mercuric oxide).

Anticonvulsants

Agents used in the treatment of epilepsy (e.g., potassium bromide).

Anticoagulants

Drugs that prevent blood clotting (e.g., sodium citrate).

Antidepressants

Drugs used to treat depression (e.g., lithium carbonate).

Antidotes

Agents used in the treatment of poisoning (e.g., sodium nitrite).

Antifebriles

Agents that relieve pain or reduce fever (e.g., ammonium acetate).

Antifungal agents

Drugs used to treat fungal infections (e.g., zinc undecylenate).

Anti-infectives

Agents used to treat local infections (e.g., potassium permanganate).

Anti-irritant agents

Drugs that prevent irritation or allergic reactions (e.g., aluminium powder).

Antiseptics

Agents that inhibit microbial growth without killing them (e.g., strong iodine solution).

Antiperspirants

Agents that reduce body odour (e.g., aluminium sulphate).

Anti-protozoals

Drugs used to treat protozoal infections (e.g., sodium antimony gluconate).

Antipruritics

Topical agents that soothe itching skin (e.g., calamine).

Antihypercalcemic agents

Agents used to correct abnormal blood calcium levels (e.g., sodium acid phosphate).

Antioxidants

Substances that prevent or delay oxidation in formulations or foods (e.g., sodium bisulphite).

Astringents

Substances that precipitate proteins, causing tissue contraction and blanching (e.g., calamine).

Bactericides

Agents that kill bacteria outright (e.g., potassium permanganate).

Bacteriostatics

Agents that inhibit bacterial growth (e.g., alum, borax).

Bleaching agents

Agents used to cleanse wounds or for bleaching (e.g., hydrogen peroxide).

Buffers

Substances that resist pH changes upon acid or base addition (e.g., acetate buffer).

Calcium supplements

Agents serving as a calcium source (e.g., calcium lactate).

Cathartics

Drugs that enhance defecation and expel parasites (e.g., magnesium sulphate).

Dentifrices

Preparations used to clean tooth surfaces (e.g., calcium carbonate).

Diagnostic agents

Substances used to help diagnose organ conditions (e.g., barium sulphate).

Diaphoretics

Agents that promote sweating (e.g., potassium citrate).

Disinfectants

Agents that destroy microbes on non-living surfaces (e.g., ammonium acetate).

Diuretics

Drugs that increase urine output (e.g., ammonium chloride).

Dusting powders

Topical powders providing a soothing skin effect (e.g., talc).

Electrolyte replenishers

Compounds used to correct acid-base or electrolyte imbalance (e.g., sodium chloride).

Emetics

Agents that induce vomiting (e.g., zinc sulphate).

Expectorants

Agents that promote expulsion of bronchial mucus by reducing its viscosity (e.g., potassium iodide).

Germicides

Agents that kill germs (e.g., chlorinated lime).

Laxatives

Drugs that promote bowel evacuation (e.g., sodium phosphate).

Protectives

Substances forming a protective coating on skin or mucous membranes (e.g., zinc oxide).

Purgatives

Strong agents for defecation and parasite expulsion (e.g., magnesium sulphate).

Radiation shields

Materials that prevent penetration of radiation (e.g., lead sheets).

Radioisotope tracers

Radioactive substances used to track distribution of materials in systems (e.g., carbon-14).

Radiotherapeutic agents

Radioisotopes employed in disease treatment (e.g., iodine-131, gold-198).