Pharmacology vocab

absorption (ăb-SŌRP-shŭn)

Movement of a drug from the outside of the body into the bloodstream.

adverse drug reaction (ADR) (ĂD-vŭrs DRŬG rē-ĂK-shŭn)

Same as adverse effect.

adverse effect (ĂD-vŭrs ĕf-FĔKT)

A drug effect that is more severe than expected and has the potential to damage tissue or cause serious health problems. It may also be called a toxic effect or toxicity and usually requires intervention by the prescriber.

agonist (ĂG-ŏn-ĭst)

An extrinsic drug that activates the receptor site of a cell and mimics the actions of naturally occurring body substances (intrinsic drugs).

allergic response (ă-LŬR-jĭk rē-SPŎNS)

Type of adverse effect in which the presence of the drug stimulates the release of histamine and other body chemicals that cause inflammatory reactions. The response may be as mild as a rash or as severe and life threatening as anaphylaxis.

antagonist (ăn-TĂG-ŏn-ĭst)

An extrinsic drug that blocks the receptor site of a cell

bioavailability (bĪ-ō-ă-vāl-ă-BĬL-ĭ-tē)

The percentage of a drug dose that actually reaches the blood.

black box warning (BLĂK BŎKS WŌR-nĭng)

A notice that a drug may produce serious or even life-threatening effects in some people in addition to its beneficial effects.

brand name (BRĂND NĀM)

A manufacturer-owned name of a generic drug; also called“trade name” or “proprietary name.”

contraindication (KŎN-tră-ĭn-dĭ-KĀ-shŭn)

A personal or health-related reason for not administering a specific drug to a patient or group of patients.

cytotoxic (sī-tō-TŎKS-ĭk)

Drug action that is intended to kill a cell or an organism.

distribution (dĭs-trĭ-BYŪ-shŭn)

(drug distribution) The extent that a drug absorbed into the bloodstream spreads into the three body water compartments.

drug (DRŬG)

Any small molecule that changes any body function by working at the chemical and cell levels.

drug therapy (DRŬG THĀR-ă-pē)

The planned use of a drug to prevent or improve a health problem.

duration of action (dū-RĀ-shŭn of ĂK-shŭn)

The length of time a drug is present in the blood at or above the level needed to produce an effect or response.

elimination (ē-lĭm-ĭ-NĀ-shŭn)

The removal of drugs from the body accomplished by certain body systems.

enteral route (ĔN-tĕr-ŭl ROWT)

Movement of drugs from the outside of the body to the inside using the gastrointestinal tract.

first-pass loss (FŬRST PĂS LŎS)

Rapid inactivation or elimination of oral drugs as a result of liver metabolism.

generic name (jĕn-ĀR-ĭk NĀM)

National and international public drug name created by the United States Adopted Names (USAN) Council to indicate the usual use or chemical composition of a drug.

half-life (HĂF LĪF)

Time span needed for one half of a drug dose to be eliminated.

high-alert drug (HĪ ă-LŬRT DRŬG)

A drug that has an increased risk for causing patient harm if it is used in error.

intended action (ĭn-TĔN-dĕd ĂK-shŭn)

Desired effect (main effect) of a drug on specific body cells or tissues; same as therapeutic response.

loading dose (LŌ-dĭng DŌS)

The first dose of a drug that is larger than all subsequent doses of the same drug; used when it takes more drug to reach steady state than it does to maintain it.

mechanism of action (MĔK-ă-nĭz-ŭm of ĂK-shŭn)

Exactly how

medication (mĕ-dĭ-KĀ-shŭn)

Any small molecule that changes any body function by working at the chemical and cell levels (same as a drug).

metabolism (mĕ-TĂB-ō-lĭz-ĭm)

(drug metabolism) Chemical reaction in the body that changes the chemical shape and content of a drug

minimum effective concentration (MEC) (MĬN-ĭ-mŭm ĕf-FĔK-tĭv kŏn-sĕn-TRĀ-shŭn)

The smallest amount of drug necessary in the blood or target tissue to result in a measurable intended action.

over-the-counter (OTC) (Ō-vŭr THĒ KOWN-tŭr)

Drugs that are approved for purchase without a prescription.

parenteral route (pă-RĔN-tĕr-ăl ROWT)

Movement of a drug from the outside of the body to the inside of the body by injection (intra-arterial

peak (PĒK)

Maximum blood drug level.

percutaneous route (pĕr-kū-TĀN-ē-ŭs ROWT)

Movement of a drug from the outside of the body to the inside through the skin or mucous membranes.

pharmacodynamics (făr-mă-kō-dĪ-NĂM-ĭks)

Ways in which drugs work to change body function.

pharmacokinetics (făr-mă-kō-kĭn-ĔT-ĭks)

How the body changes drugs; drug metabolism.

pharmacology (făr-mă-KŎL-ō-jē)

The science and study of drugs and their actions on living animals.

physiologic effect (fĭ-zē-ō-LŎ-jĭk ēf-FĔKT)

The change in body function as an outcome of the mechanism of action of a drug.

potency (PŌ-tĕn-sē)

The strength of the intended action produced at a given drug dose.

prescription (prē-SKRĬP-shŭn)

An order written or dictated by a state-approved prescriber for a specific drug therapy for a specific patient.

prescription drugs (prē-SKRĬP-shŭn DRŬGZ)

The legal status of any drug that is considered unsafe for self-medication or has a potential for addiction and is only available by a prescription written by a state-approved health care professional.

receptors (rē-SĔP-TŬRZ)

Physical place on or in a cell where a drug can bind and interact.

side effects (SĪD ē-FĔKTS)

Any minor effect of a drug on body cells or tissues that is not the intended action of a drug.

steady state (STĔD-ē STĀT)

Point at which drug elimination is balanced with drug entry

target tissue (TĂR-gĕt TĬ-shū)

The actual cells or tissues affected by the mechanism of action or intended actions of a specific drug.

transdermal (trănz-DŬR-mŭl)

Type of percutaneous drug delivery in which the drug is applied to the skin

trough (TRŎ)

The lowest or minimal blood drug level.

vaporized (VĀ-pŭr-īzd)

Changing of a drug from a liquid form to a gas or mist that can be absorbed into the body by inhalation.