pharmacology and psychiatry

AC

before meals

BID

two times a day

GTT

drops

HS

at bedtime

H2 blocker

Histamine H2 receptor blocker 

NPO

nothing by mouth

PC

after meals

TID

three times daily

PRN

as needed

subQ

subcutaneous

NSAID

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory Drug  

IV

intravenous

RX

prescription

PO

by mouth

basil

relieves upper digestive discomfort, indigestion and bloating and applied topically to acne and insect bites

rosemary

strengthens memory and recall information, taken to help study and exam performances and wards off mental exhaustion

digitalis

treats CHF and heart arrhythmia problems

antibiotics

penicillin derived from molds

antivenoms

snakes and spiders

synthetic insulin

comes from pigs

pharmacology

study of the discovery, properties and use of drugs

medical chemistry

study of new drug synthesis

Pharmacodynamics

involves the study of a drugs effects in the body

Pharmacokinetics

study of drugs absorption, distribution into the body compartments, metabolism and excretion over a period of time

molecular pharmacology

involves the interaction of drugs and subcellular entities, such as DNA , RNA and enzymes. It provides important information about the mechanism of action of drugs

chemotherapy

study of drugs that destroy microorganisms, parasites or malignant cells within the body

toxicology

study of harmful effects on the body from drugs and chemicals

antidotes

substances given to neutralize unwanted effects of drugs

chemical name

exact chemical makeup

generic name

identifies the medication/drug legally and scientifically

brand name

trademark of a private property of the individual drug manufacturer

Oral medication

Drugs given by the mouth are slowly absorbed into the bloodstream or intestinal wall 

Sublingual administration

Drugs placed under the tongue that dissolve in the saliva . This would be in the form most often of a tablet

Rectal administration

 Drugs are given rectally ( in Suppositories form ) when unable to give oral medication due to disabilities or the patient is nauseated or vomiting 

Parenteral administration

Injection of a drug from a syringe through a hollow needle placed under the skin , into the muscle , vein  or body cavity 

Intracavitary instillation

Injection is made into the body cavity 

Intramuscular injection ( IM)

This injection is placed in the Muscle .This injection is given for more immediate results & better absorption .

Intrathecal installation

 a needle is placed under the membranes surrounding the spinal cord & brain ( around the subarachnoid space )

Intravenous injection (IV)

 medication given directly into the vein . This is most often given when a immediate result from the medication is needed .

Inhalations

absorbed by the bloodstream through the walls of the air sacs in the lungs . These types of medications vapors or gases taken in through the mouth & nose

Aerosols

Drugs that are suspended in the air & are administered by inhalation

Topical applications

Medications that are applied on the skin directly or the mucus membrane 

Antiseptics

against infection

antipruritics

against itching

Transdermal patches

Places on the skin that has medication in the patch already

Receptor

specific target that the drug is given for

dose

Amount of drug given , usually in measured in milligrams 

Schedule

the exact time to be given & frequency

Additive action

Drug action in which the combination of two similar drugs is equal to the sum of the effects of each 

Antagonistic action

Combination of two drugs gives less than an additive effect ( Action) 

Synergism

Produce a great effect on the target outcome when two of the medication are put together 

Response

 Desired outcome of giving the medication or beneficial effect of a drug

Tolerance

more of the medication needed to produce the same outcome as before

Dependence

Craving for the drug on a physical & psychological

Controlled Substances

Medication / drugs that have a high potential for abuse & addiction 

Drug Toxicity

That which harm can be done to an organism , body system or specific organ / gland

Idiosyncrasy

An unpredictable type of drug toxicity

Iatrogenic disorder

produced by a treatment is due to a mistake in drug use or sensitivity to a given agent

Side Effects

unpleasant effect that routinely can result from use of the medication . Examples : Dry mouth , Constipation , diarrhea 

Contraindications

is when a condition that makes the use of certain medications dangerous & ill- advised .

Drug resistance

reduction of effectiveness  of a drug

Analgesics

Drug that lessen pain from mild to moderate pain 

Local Anesthetic

Limited to a particular region of the body or area 

General Anesthetic

 affects all the tissues and may put the person to sleep . ( used in surgeries )

Antibiotic

that inhibits the growth ( Bacteriostatic) or kills ( bactericidal) bateria , fungi or parasites( ex: Pneumonia

Antifungal

treat fungal infections ( Ex: ringworm)

Antiviral

 Medication used to fight against viral infection  (ex:Epstein Barr )

Anticoagulants

Prevents clotting of the blood

TPA or Tissue-type plasminogen activator

can if used in a timely manner  dissolve the clots & can also be used to open vessels after myocardial infarction 

Antiplatelet drugs

 Reduce the risk of platelets in the blood vessels from clumping or sticking together .

Anticonvulsants

 prevent or reduce frequency of convulsions or seizure activity with minimal effect on the brain activity 

Antidepressant

treat symptoms of depression 

Lithium medication

stabilize the Mood swings or the episodes of the highs ( manic ) & lows ( depressive )

Anti-Alzheimer drugs

help treat the symptoms of alzheimer disease & slow the process however it can never be cured 

Antihistamines

block the action of the histamines which normally is released in the body in allergic reactions or any kind

s/s of Antihistamines

 Blurred vision,Tremors , upset stomach & drowsiness   

Antiemetic

medication that prevents nausea it may also be used to help with motion sickness or prevent being sea sickness 

Angina

Pain due to decrease oxygen delivery to the heart 

Cardiovascular drugs

work on the heart & blood vessels to help them work more effective

Myocardial Infarction

Heart Attack 

Beta Blockers

decrease muscular tone in blood vessels ( leading to vasodilation ) , slow heart rate, decrease output of the heart 

Calcium Channel Blockers

Dilate blood vessels & lower blood pressure & are used to treat arrhythmias

Androgens

Used a replacement for male hormone when low , Treats endometriosis & anemia 

AntiAndrogens

 Ordered to stop the growth of prostate cancer 

Estrogen

Used for menopause symptoms or as a replacement  therapy & to prevent post menopausal osteoporosis 

Progestins

 Used for abnormal increase in uterine bleeding do to hormonal imbalance

Synthroid

is a thyroid replacement medication , when there   is low production of the thyroid 

Calcitonin

treat osteoporosis 

Glucocorticoid

Used for reduction on inflammation with a wide range of different inflammatory disorders

gastrointestinal drugs

relieve uncomfortable and potentially dangerous symptoms

antacids

neutralize the hydrochloric acid in the stomach to relieve symptoms of peptic ulcers, esophagitis and reflux

antiulcer

drugs block section of acid by cells in the lining of the stomach and prescribed for patients with gastric and duodenal ulcers

histamine H2 receptor antagonist

medication that of histamines which in turns decrease production of acid productions

antidiarrheal drugs

helps relieve diarrhea

cathartics

relive constipation and help promote a BM

laxatives

mild cathartics (promotes a BM)

respiratory drugs

treatment of asthma and copd

Bronchodilators

open bronchial tubes

steroid drugs

inhaled and given oral and iv or aerosol and reduce chronic anti-inflammatory therapy of asthma

Sedative-Hypnotics

medications that depressed the nervous system & promotes ( sedative ) & sleep- Barbiturates & Benzodiazepines are sedatives