Glossary RT208

adrenergic

adrenergic

Sympathomimetic drug that mimics the action of the sympathetic nervous system.

Aminoglycosides

Drugs used in combination with other antibiotics that treat many infections caused by gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria

analeptic

A drug that stimulates the central nervous system, especially with poisoning by CNS depressants.

analgesic

medication that alleviates pain

Androgens

Male hormones that stimulate the development of male characteristics

Antacid

agent that neutralizes gastric hydrochloric acid

antiarrythmic

Drug that controls or prevents cardiac irregularities

anticholinergic

drug that blocks the action of the parasympathetic nervous system

anticoagulants

Medications used to prevent formation of clots or decrease the extension of existing clots or decrease the extension of existing clots in such conditions as venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and coronary occlusion

Anticonvulsants

Medication used to reduce the number and/or severity or seizures in patients with epilepsy

Antidepressant

Medication used to treat patients with various types of depression; sometimes called mood elevators

Antidiabetic

Medication to lower blood glucose levels in those with impaired metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins

antidiarrhea

Medication that reduces the number of loose stools

antidote

a substance that neutralizes poison or a toxic substance

antiemetic

Drug that prevents or treats nausea, vomiting, or motion sickness

antiflatulent

Symptomatic treatment of gastric bloating or GI gas pain

antifungal

Medication used in the treatment of candidial and other specific susceptible fungi

antiglaucoma drugs

Medications used to lower intraocular pressure

Antihistamines

medication that provide symptomatic relief of allergic symptoms caused by histamine release

antihypertensives

Medications used in the treatment and management of all degrees of hypertension

anti-infective

Medication used in the treatment of infections; includes antibiotics, antifungals, and antivirals

anti-inflammatory

medication used to relieve inflammation

antilipemic

Drug that lowers the serum cholesterol and low-density lipoproteins (LDL's) and increases the high-density lipoproteins (HDLs)

Antimuscarinics

Drugs that block cholinergic stimuli at muscarinic receptors. A type of anticholinergic. Also called parasympatholytics

antineoplastic

Agent that prevents the development, growth, or spreading of malignant cells

antioxidant

Agent that prevents or inhibits oxidation or cell destruction in damages or aging tissues. A compound that fights against the destructive effects of free radical formation

antiparkinsonian drugs

Medications used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease to relieve symptoms and maintain mobility, but do not cure the disease

antipruritic

Products applied topically to alleviate itching

antipsychotic

Major tranquilizers used to relieve symptoms of psychoses or severe neuroses; sometimes called neuroleptics

antipyretic

Medication used to reduce a fever

antiseptic

substances that inhibit the growth of bacteria

antispasmodics

Medications used to reduce the strength and frequency of contractions of the urinary bladder and to decrease gastrointestinal motility

antithyroid

Medication used to relieve the symptoms of hyperthyroidism in preparation for surgical or radioactive iodine therapy.

Antituberculosis agents

Medications used to treat asymptomatic infection, and to treat active clinical tuberculosis and prevent relapse

antitussive

Medication that suppresses coughing

antiulcer

Drug that reduces gastric acid secretion, or that acts to prevent or treat gastric or duodenal ulcers

antiviral

Medications used to treat viruses, for example, HIV and herpes

Anxiolytics

Antianxiety medications (tranquilizers) used for the short-term treatment of anxiety disorders, neurosis, some psychomatic disorders, and insomnia

Asthma treatment

Medication used for prophylaxis and treatment of chronic asthma. Bronchdilators are used for acute asthmatic attacks

bactericidal

destroying bacteria

Bacteriostatic

inhibiting or retarding bacterial growth

beta-blocker

Drug that blocks the action of the sympathetic nervous system

BPH therapy

drug used to reduce prostate size and associated urinary obstruction and manifestations in patients with benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH)

bronchodilators

Medications that relax the smooth muscles of the bronchial tree, thereby relieving bronchospasm and increasing the vital capacity of the lungs

Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors

Drugs that reduce the hydrogen and bicarbonate ions and have a diuretic effect (increasing the excretion of fluids from the body through the urine)

Cardiac Glycosides

Medication used primarily in the treatment of congestive heart failure

cardiotonic

Increasing the force and efficiency of contractions of the heart muscle

catecholamines

mediators released at the sympathetic nerve endings (e.g., epinephrine and norepinephrine)

Cephalosporins

Semisynthetic antibiotic derivatives produced by a fungus.

cholinergic

parasympathomimetic drug that mimics the action of parasympathetic nervous system

Contraceptives

Medications used for birth control

Coronary vasodilators

Mediation used in the treatment of angina

cyclopegic

drug that paralyzes the muscles if accommodation for eye examinations

decongestants

drug that constrict blood vessels in the respiratory tract, resulting in shrinkage of swollen mucous membranes and opened nasal airway passages

diuretic

medication that increases urine excretine

emetic

Agent that induces vomiting

emollient and demulcent

medication used topically to protect or soothe minor dermatological conditions, such as diaper rash, abrasions, and minor burns

Expectorants

drug that increase secretions, reduce viscosity, and help to expel sputum

hypnotic

drug that promotes sleep

hypotensive

Antihypertensive; medication used in the treatment of hypertension.

immunosuppressive

Decreasing the production of antibodies and phagocytes and depressing the inflammatory reaction.

keratolytic

An agent that promotes loosening or scaling of the outer layer of the skin.

laxatives

drug that promote evacuation of intestine

local anesthetic

medication administered to produce temporary loss of sensation or feeling in a specific area

miotic

Drug that causes the pupil of the eye to contract.

mucolytic

medication that liquefies pulmonary secretions

mydriatic

drug that dilates the pupil

NSAID

nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug

Opioids

analgesics, controlled substances, whose action is similar to opium in altering the perception of pain; can be natural or synthetic

osmotic agents

Medications used to reduce intracranial or intraocular pressure.

Parasympatholytics

anticholinergics; medications that decrease the chemical that promotes bronchospasm

Penicillins

Antibiotics produced from certain species of a fungus

platelet inhibitor

a drug that inhibits platelet aggregation (clumping) to prevent clots

psychotropic

Any substance that acts on the mind

Sedatives

Controlled substances used to promote sedation in smaller doses and to promote sleep in larger doses

skeletal muscle relaxants

Medications used to treat some musculoskeletal disorders associated with pain, spasm, abnormal contraction, or impaired mobility.

spinal anesthesia

local anesthetic solutions injected intrathecally (into the subarachnoid space of the spinal canal) either in the lumbar region or lower (saddle block), depending on the area to be anesthetized

SSRI

antidepressant that blocks the reabsorption of neurotransmitter serotonin, thus helping to restore the brain's chemical balance

Sulfonamides

anti-infectives used in combinations with other drugs to slow the development of resistance; used in treatment of UTI, enteritis, and opportunistic infections of AIDS

sulfonylurea

Oral antidiabetic drug for treatment of type II diabetes

sympathomimetic

adrenergic drug that mimics the action of the sympathetic nervous system

tetracyclines

Broad-spectrum antibiotics used in the treatment of infections caused by rickettsia, chlamydia, or some uncommon bacteria.

thrombolytic agents

Medications used to dissolve clots after they have formed.

topical anesthesia

Application of a local anesthetic directly to the surface of the area to be anesthetized.

tricyclics

antidepressant drugs that elevate the mood, have a mild sedative effect and increase appetite

uricosuric

Promoting urinary excretion of uric acid.

urinary analgesics

Medication used to relieve burning, pain, and discomfort in the urinary tract mucosa.

Urinary Anti-Infectives

Drugs used for initial or recurrent urinary tract infections caused by susceptible organisms, usually bacteriostatic instead of bactericidal.

vasoconstricor

drug that narrows blood vessels resulting in increased blood pressure; used in the treatment of shock

vasodilator

a drug that expands the walls of the blood vessels, improving blood flow and resulting in lowering of blood pressure

Xanthines

medications that indirectly increase the chemical cause of bronchodilation; used particularly for treatment of acute asthmatic attacks