Pharmacology Final Study Guide - Vocabulary Flashcards (Veterinary Medicine)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key pharmacology and veterinary medicine concepts from the notes.

Indications

Reasons for giving a drug to a patient (the conditions treated or symptoms addressed).

Contraindications

Reasons not to give a drug to a patient (situations where it could cause harm).

Legend drugs

Prescription drugs regulated by the FDA that require a licensed veterinarian’s order.

Caution: Federal law statement

Labeling on legend drugs indicating restricted use to on-order by a licensed veterinarian.

Veterinarian–client relationship

Vet’s responsibility for medical decisions and the client’s agreement to follow instructions.

Regimen

Plan for administering drugs, including route, dosage, frequency, and duration.

Route of administration (ROA)

The way a drug is given (oral, IV, IM, etc.).

Dosage

The amount of drug to be given.

Frequency

How often the drug should be given.

Duration

How long the drug is to be given.

t.i.d.

Three times a day (ter in die).

q.i.d.

Four times a day (quater in die).

b.i.d.

Two times a day (bis in die).

Pharmacokinetics

The study of how a drug moves through the body (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion).

Oral absorption (PO)

Absorption from the mouth; can be limited by vomiting/diarrhea or bad taste.

Intravenous (IV)

Delivery into a vein; rapid onset, often shorter duration.

Intramuscular (IM)

Delivery into a muscle; generally slower than IV but faster than SQ.

Subcutaneous (SQ/SC)

Delivery into tissue beneath the skin.

Intradermal (ID)

Injection into the skin, often used for allergy testing.

Intraperitoneal (IP)

Injection into the abdominal cavity.

Intraarterial (IA)

Injection into an artery.

Intraarticular

Injection into a joint.

Intracardiac

Injection into the heart (often for euthanasia or CPR).

Intramedullary

Injection into the bone marrow cavity.

Epidural/Subdural

Injection into the spine (epidural) or near the spine (subdural).

Nebulizer

Drug delivered as an inhaled fine mist.

Metered-dose inhaler

Hand-held device delivering a specific inhaled dose.

Anesthetic gases

Gaseous anesthetics delivered with vaporizers.

Transdermal/topical

Drugs applied to the skin for slow, ongoing absorption.

Concentration gradient

Movement of drugs from high to low concentration within body compartments.

Bioavailability

Fraction of an administered dose that reaches systemic circulation.

Water-soluble drugs

Dissolve in water; stay mainly in bloodstream; may bind to proteins.

Lipid-soluble drugs

Dissolve in fats; distribute into tissues and fat stores.

Storage sites for lipophilic drugs

Fat, liver, kidneys, and bone can store fat-soluble drugs.

Placenta and blood–brain barrier effects

These barriers can affect drug absorption and distribution.

Drug excretion

Elimination of drugs via liver (bile), kidneys (urine), and other routes (mammary glands, lungs, GI tract, sweat, saliva, skin).

Residues

Drugs that appear in milk or meat; potential allergy or resistance concerns.

Pharmacodynamics

Study of how drugs produce physiological changes by interacting with cells/tissues.

Efficacy

Degree to which a drug produces its intended effect.

Potency

Amount of drug needed to achieve the desired effect.

LD50

Lethal dose for 50% of the tested population.

ED50

Dose that produces a therapeutic effect in 50% of the population.

Therapeutic index

Ratio of LD50 to ED50; a measure of drug safety.

Adverse drug reaction

Any undesired or harmful response to a drug.

Formulary

A reference book listing approved drugs and dosages and adverse reactions.

Proprietary vs generic

Trade name (patented) vs unpatented copy of a drug.

Drug label contents

Generic/trade names, concentration, manufacturer, controlled-substance status, lot number, expiration date.

EPA

Environmental Protection Agency; regulates animal topical pesticides.

DEA

Drug Enforcement Administration; regulates controlled substances and requires licensing and records.

USDA

U.S. Department of Agriculture; regulates biologics (vaccines, serums, antitoxins).

AMDUCA

Animal Medicinal Drug Use Clarification Act; allows extra-label drug use under defined conditions.

Six rights of administration

Right patient, Right drug, Right dose, Right route, Right time/frequency, Right documentation.

Oral medication forms

Tablets, suspensions, capsules; emulsions; elixirs.

Pill gun

Device used to administer oral pills to animals.

Speculum

Instrument used to hold open a body cavity for administration of meds.

Stomach tube

Technique to administer or withdraw substances via the stomach.

Syringes (types)

Slip tip, Luer lock, Eccentric tip, Catheter tip.

IV catheter

Device placed in a vein to facilitate repeated IV injections.

Butterfly catheter

Short-term IV catheter used for quick, temporary access.

Endotracheal tube

Tube placed in the trachea to assist ventilation or anesthesia.

Tranquilizers

Drugs that calm a patient; may not provide analgesia (e.g., acepromazine, chlorpromazine).

Phenothiazine tranquilizers

Class of tranquilizers including acepromazine and chlorpromazine.

Neuroleptanalgesics

Combination of an opioid and tranquilizer providing sedation and analgesia.

Behavioral pharmacotherapy

Drugs used to treat behavioral problems, often with environmental/management support.

Antianxiety medications

Drugs that reduce anxiety; may cause sedation or other side effects.

Antidepressants

Drugs that treat conditions by altering monoamine neurotransmitter levels.

SSRIs (serotonin reuptake inhibitors)

Drugs that increase serotonin by preventing its reuptake.

MAO-B inhibitors

Block monoamine oxidase-B, increasing dopamine; used in cognitive or behavioral contexts.

Inotropic drugs

Drugs that affect the force of heart contraction (positive/negative inotropy).

Chronotropic drugs

Drugs that affect heart rate (positive/negative chronotropy).

Emetics

Drugs that induce vomiting to remove ingested toxins.

Antiemetics

Drugs that prevent or treat vomiting.

Hematinics

Iron supplements used to treat anemia.

Anticoagulants

Drugs that prevent blood clot formation.

Laxatives

Medications that stimulate bowel movements.

Antacids

Agents that neutralize stomach acid.

Antitussives

Drugs that suppress coughing.

Expectorants

Medications that reduce mucus adhesiveness to aid clearance.

Mucolytics

Agents that break down mucus to aid clearance.

Decongestants

Drugs that reduce nasal congestion.

Corticosteroids

Potent anti-inflammatory drugs used for many conditions.

Acetylcholine

Neurotransmitter important for learning, memory, and muscle contraction.

Anticholinergics

Drugs that reduce secretions and GI motility; dilate pupils; may treat bradycardia.

Adrenergic agents

Drugs that stimulate the sympathetic nervous system (increase heart action, vasoconstriction).

Glaucoma adrenergic agents

Adrenergic drugs used to treat glaucoma or their reversal.

Barbiturates

CNS depressants used for anesthesia or sedation.

NSAIDs

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with analgesic/anti-inflammatory effects.

Synthetic progestins

Progesterone-like drugs used to influence reproductive or behavioral conditions.

Euthanasia agents

Drugs used to humanely end an animal's life.

Antidiuretic hormones (ADH)

Hormones like vasopressin used to treat diabetes insipidus.

Urinary acidifiers

Agents (e.g., methionine) that lower urine pH to dissolve certain crystals.

Urinary alkalinizers

Agents (e.g., potassium citrate) that raise urine pH to prevent certain stones.

Urinary incontinence

Inability to control urination.

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs)

Compounds that help protect the bladder lining and manage certain cystitis conditions.

Epakitin

Phosphate binder derived from crustacean shells used in kidney disease.

Catecholamines

Epinephrine, isoproterenol, dopamine, dobutamine—stimulate SNS; increase heart activity and blood pressure.

Milrinone/Amrinone

PDE inhibitors that increase intracellular calcium and improve cardiac contractility.

Surfactants (docusate)

Agents that reduce surface tension to soften stool and aid passage.

Protectants (Pepto-Bismol, activated charcoal)

Coat mucosa or adsorb toxins/bacteria to reduce irritation.

Adsorbents

Bind bacteria or toxins to reduce harmful effects.