Pharmacological Vocabulary - Letter A

A collection of pharmacological vocabulary terms and definitions beginning with the letter A based on the provided lecture notes.

Abortifacient

an agent that will induce an abortion.

Abradant

an agent that removes an external layer, such as dental plaque (pumice).

Absorbent

a drug that takes up other chemicals into its substance; it is used to reduce the free availability of toxic chemicals (polycarbophil, gastrointestinal absorbent).

ACE Inhibitor

see Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitor.

Acidifier, Systemic

a drug that lowers the internal body pH; it is useful in restoring normal pH in patients with systemic alkalosis (ammonium chloride).

Acidifier, Urinary

a drug that lowers the pH of the renal filtrate and urine (sodium dihydrogen phosphate).

Adrenergic

a drug that activates organs innervated by the sympathetic nervous system; a sympathomimetic drug (epinephrine, norepinephrine).

Adrenocorticosteroid, Anti-Inflammatory

an adrenal cortex hormone that regulates organic metabolism and inhibits inflammatory response; a glucocorticoid (prednisolone, prednisone).

Adrenocorticosteroid, Salt-Regulating

an adrenal cortex hormone that regulates sodium/potassium balance in the body; a mineralocorticoid (desoxycorticosterone acetate).

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone

a hormone that stimulates the adrenal cortex to produce glucocorticoids (corticotropin).

Adsorbent

a drug that binds other chemicals onto its surface; it is used to reduce the free availability of toxic chemicals (kaolin, gastrointestinal adsorbent).

Agonist

a drug that reacts with and activates physiological receptors and induces the associated biologic response (morphine, opioid receptor agonist; isoproterenol, beta-adrenergic receptor agonist).

Alcohol-Abuse Deterrent

a drug that alters physiology so that unpleasant symptoms follow ingestion of ethanol-containing products (disulfiram).

Aldehyde Dehydrogenase Inhibitor

a drug that blocks the conversion of acetaldehyde to acetic acid by aldehyde dehydrogenase (disulfiram).