The Language of Medicine Chapter 21

pharmacokinetics

calculation of drug concentration in tissues and body fluids over a period of time

chemotherapy

use of drugs in the treatment of disease

toxicology

study of the harmful effects of drugs

pharmacodynamics

study of drug effects in the body

molecular pharmacology

measurement of drug concentrations in tissues and in blood over time

rectal

drug is administered via suppository or fluid into the anus

inhalation

drug is administered via vapor or gas into the nose or mouth

sublingual

drug is administered under the tongue

topical

drug is applied locally on skin or mucous membrane

oral administration

drug is given by mouth and absorbed through the stomach or intestine

parenteral administration

drug is injected via syringe under the skin, into a vein, muscle or cavity

antipruritic

an agent that aids in relieving itching

intrathecal

with in a sheath

antiseptic

fights against infection

aerosol

a solution of particles in the air (gas or vapor)

subcutaneous

under the skin

cathartic

relieves constipation

antiemetic

prevents nausea and vomiting

narcotic

habit forming drug that relieves pain by producing stupor/insensibility. (Opium, morphine)

beta-blocker

blocks the action of epinephrine

bronchodilator

open bronchial tubes (administered by injection and inhalers)

antihistamine

relieves allergic symptoms

antibiotic

penicillin or erythromycin

barbiturate

sedative

analgesic

non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug; relieves pain

phenothahiazines

tranquilizer

stimulant

caffeine or amphetamines

vasodilator

drug that widens blood vessels

antianginal

drug that reduces blood pressure

digoxin

drug that strengthens the force and efficiency of the heartbeat

vasoconstrictor

drug that narrows blood vessels

cholesterol-lowering drug

drug that reduces lipids in blood

diuretic

drug that promotes excretion of urine, lowering blood pressure

stimulant

agent that excites and promotes activity

emetic

drug that promotes vomiting

anaphylaxis

exaggerated hypersensitivity reaction to a previously encountered drug or foreign protein

generic

legal, non-commercial name for a drug

toxicity

harmful effects of a drug

antirrhythmic

drugs that restores heart to a regular cycle

topical

drugs that are applied locally on the skin

addictive action

the combination of two similar drugs is equal to the sum of the effects of each

diuretic

an agent that lowers blood pressure by increasing the release of urine

narcotic

a habit-forming drug that produces sleep and stupor

amphetamine

CNS stimulant

hypodermic

pertaining to under the skin

laxative

a drug that relieves constipation

antipyretic

pertaining to an agent that reduces fever

anticoagulent

an agent that prevents or delays blood clotting

glucocorticoid

hormone from the adrenal cortex that raises blood sugar

toxicology

the study of poisonous effects of drugs

intrathecal

pertaining to within a sheath or within the membranes surrounding the spinal cord

brand name

commercial name for a drug; trademark or trade name

addiction

physical and physiological dependence on and craving for a drug

aerosol

particles of a drug suspended in air

chemical name

chemical formula for a drug

contraindication

factor in the patient's condition that prevents the use of a particular drug or treatment

antidote

agent given to counteract an unwanted effect of a drug

addictive action

drug action in which the combination of two similar drugs is equal to the sum of the effects of each

medical chemistry

study of new drug synthesis; relationship between chemical structure ond biological effects

iatrogenic

condition caused by treatment given by physicians or medical personnel

inhalation

administration of drugs in gaseous or vapor form through the nose or mouth

molecular pharmacology

study of interaction of drugs and their target molecules, enzymes, or cell surgace receptors

pharmacy

location for preparing and dispensing drugs

pharmacist

specialist in preparing and dispensing drugs

idiosyncrasy

unexpected effect produced in a particularly sensitive individuals but not seen in most patients

pharmacodynamics

study of the effects and strength of a drug within the body

rectal administration

drugs are inserted through the anus into the rectum

pharmacology

study of the preparation, properties, uses and actions of drugs

receptor

target substance with which a drug interacts in the body

syringe

instrument for introducing or withdrawing fluids from the body

synergism

combination of two drugs causes an effect that is greater than the sum of the individual effects of each drug alone

Physician's Desk Reference (PDR)

drug products are listed and described in the book

Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Government agency having the legal responsibility for enforcing proper drug manufacturer and clinical use

sublingual administration

drugs are given by placement under the tongue

side effect

adverse reaction that routinely results from use of a drug

ACE inhibitor

drug that lowers blood pressure

antacid

neutralizes acid in the stomach

emetic

drug that promotes vomiting

hypnotic

drug that produces sleep or trance-like state

bisphosphonate

drug that prevents bone loss and osteropenia

cathartic

drug that relieves constipation

calcium channel blocker

drug that is antirryhthmic, anti hypertensive, and antianginal; blocks receptors in blood vessels

caffeine

CNS stimulant

beta-blocker

drug that blocks the entrance of calcium into heart muscle and lining of blood vessels; antirrythmic, anti hypertensive, and antianginal

aromatase inhibitor

reduces estrogen in the blood by blocking an enzyme

antiplatelet

reduces the ability of thrombocytes to stick together and form a clot

purgative

drug that relieves constipation; strong cathartic and laxative

thyroid hormone

secretion from the endocrine gland in the neck; stimulates cellular metabolism

progestin

female hormone that stimulates the uterine lining during pregnancy