Pharmacology Terms

Pharmacology

study of drugs

Medication

A chemical substance that is used to treat or prevent disease or relieve pain.

Pharmacodynamics

The process by which a medication works on the body.

Agonist

a molecule that, by binding to a receptor site, stimulates a response

Antagonist

Drugs that compete with the agonists for a receptor and occupy the receptor, block the action of the agonist, competitive and non-competitive antagonists.

Competitive antagonists

Compete with agonists for receptor binding

Non-competitive antagonists

inhibits agonists response regardless of agonists concentration.

Dose

The amount of medication given on the basis of the patient's size and age.

Mimetic

Mimics the effects of a substance

Lytic

pertaining to breakdown or destruction

Affinity

the force attraction between medications and receptors causing them to bind together.

Tablets

A powdered dosage form compressed into hard disks or cylinder

Capsules

A solid dosage form for oral use. medication in powder, liquid, or oil form and encased by gelatin shell; colored to aid in identification.

Pill

A solid dosage form containing one or more medications, shaped into globules, ovoids, or oblong shapes

Suppository

A solid dosage form mixed with gelatin and shaped in pellet form for insertion into a body cavity; melts when it reaches body temperature, releasing medication for absorption.

Sustained Release

Tablet or capsule that contains small particles of a medication coated with material that requires a varying amount of time to dissolve.

Gels

Semiliquid. Administered in capsules or through plastic tubes

Elixir

A clear liquid containing water and/or alcohol; designed for oral use; usually has sweetener added.

Extract

Syrup or dried form of an active medication, usually made by evaporating the solution.

Solution

a liquid preparation that may be used orally, parenterally (via needle), or externally; can be instilled into body organ or cavity.

Suspension

Finely divided drug particles dispersed in liquid medium; when suspension is left standing, particles settle to bottom of container. Must be shaken prior to use. Commonly given orally and should not given intravenously.

Syrup

A medication dissolved in concentrated sugar solution; may contain flavoring to make medication taste better.

Tincture

An alcohol extract from a plant or vegetable.

Aerosol

Aqueous medication sprayed and absorbed in the mouth and upper airways, not meant for ingestion.

Meter dosed Inhalers (MDI)

Directs such substances through mouth into lungs.

Liniment

A preparation usually containing alcohol, oil or soapy emollient that is applied to the skin.

Lotion

A liquid suspension that usually protects, cools, or cleanses skin.

Ointment

Salve or cream; a semi-solid, externally applied preparation, usually containing one or more medications.

Paste

Often used for skin protection; a semi-solid preparation, thinker and stiffer than ointment, absorbed through skin more slowly than ointment.

Transdermal Disk/Patch aka transcutaneous

Medicated disk or patch absorbed through the skin slowly over a long period of time.

Enteral (ingested)

Involving or passing through the intestine, either naturally via the mouth and esophagus, or through an artificial opening. These routes are slower to act but longer lasting.

Parenteral

Administered or occurring elsewhere in the body than the mouth and alimentary canal. Faster acting.

PO

Per Os, Oral, By Mouth

SL

sublingual (under the tongue)

PR

per rectum

BUC

buccal (inside cheek)

IV

intravenous (injection into the vein)

IM

intramuscular (injection into the muscle)

SC, SQ

subcutaneous (injection under the skin)

ID

intradermal (injection into the dermal layer of the skin)

IC

intracardiac (injection into the heart)

IO

intraosseous (injection into bone marrow)

INH

inhalation

ET

administered through an endotracheal tube

IN

intranasal (administered in the nasal passage with an mucosal atomizer device (MAD))

TOP

topical (absorbed through the surface of the skin)

TD

transdermal (absorbed through the dermal layer)

Chemical name

The name that describes the chemical composition and molecular structure of a drug.

Generic name

name assigned by the manufacturer who first develops a drug; it is often derived from the chemical name

Brand name (trade name)

Company branded; specific to one company

Official name

name by which a drug is identified in official publications, US Pharmacopoeia

Mechanism of Action

how a drug produces its physiological effect in the body

Indication

reasons or condition for which a particular medication is given.

Contraindications

factors that prevent the use of a drug or treatment

Side Effect

an unwanted physical or mental effect caused by a drug

Pre-cautions

conditions to consider before administration.

Dosing

The specified amount of a medication to be given at specific intervals.

Routes of Administration

The ways used to get a drug into the tissues of the body, where they can produce their effects.

Unintended effects

Actions that are undesirable but pose little risk to the patient.

Untoward effects

effects that can be harmful to the patient

Pharmacokinetics

The process by which drugs are absorbed, distributed within the body, metabolized, and excreted.

Biotransformation

the process in which enzymes convert a drug into a metabolite that is itself active, possibly in ways that are substantially different from the actions of the original substance

Onset

the duration of time it takes for a drug's effects to come to prominence upon administration.

Peak effects

occurs when a drug reaches its highest blood or plasma concentration.

Duration

the length of time that drug is effective in the system.

Half-life

the period of time required for the concentration or amount of drug in the body to be reduced by one-half.