Chapter 21

addiction

Physical and psychologic dependence on and craving for a drug.

additive action

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

Heparin

Anticoagulant drug

antipyretic

The term that means pertaining to an agent that acts to relieve fever

vasodilator

Drug that causes blood vessels to widen

aerosol

Particles of drug suspended in air and inhaled

anaphylaxis

Exaggerated hypersensitivity reaction to a previously encountered drug or foreign protein.

antagonistic action

Combination of two drugs gives less than an additive effect (action).

antidote

Agent given to counteract an unwanted effect of a drug.

brand name

Commercial name for a drug; trademark or trade name.

chemical name

Chemical formula for a drug.

contraindications

Factors that prevent the use of a drug or treatment.

controlled substances

Drugs that produce tolerance and dependence and have potential for abuse or addiction. See page 848-849.

dependence

Physiologic need for a drug with prolonged use.

dose

Amount of drug administered, usually measured in milligrams.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

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

generic name

Legal noncommercial name for a drug.

iatrogenic

Condition caused by treatment (drugs or procedures) given by physicians or medical personnel.

idiosyncratic reaction

Unexpected effect produced in a particularly sensitive patient but not seen in most people.

inhalation

Administration of drugs in gaseous or vapor form through the nose or mouth.

medicinal chemistry

Study of new drug synthesis; relationship between chemical structure and biologic effects.

molecular pharmacology

Study of interaction of drugs and their target molecules (such as enzymes or cell surface receptors).

oral administration

Drugs are given by mouth.

parenteral administration

Drugs are given by injection into the skin, muscles, or veins (any route other than through the digestive tract). Examples are subcutaneous, intradermal, intramuscular, intravenous, intrathecal, and intracavitary injections and instillations.

pharmacist

Specialist in preparing and dispensing drugs.

pharmacy

Location for preparing and dispensing drugs; also the study of preparing and dispensing drugs.

pharmacodynamics

Study of drug effects within the body.

pharmacokinetics

Study of drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion over a period of time.

pharmacologist

Specialist in the study of the properties, uses, and side effects of drugs.

pharmacology

Study of the preparation, properties, uses, and side effects of drugs.

Physicians' Desk Reference

Reference book that lists drug products; PDR.

receptor

Target substance with which a drug interacts in the body.

rectal administration

Drugs are inserted through the anus into the rectum.

resistance

Lack of beneficial response; seen when drugs are unable to control the disease process.

response

Desired and beneficial effect of a drug.

schedule

Exact dose, timing, and frequency of drug administration.

side effect

Adverse reaction, usually minor, that routinely results from the use of a drug.

sublingual administration

Drugs are given by placement under the tongue.

synergism

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

syringe

Instrument (tube) for introducing or withdrawing fluids from the body.

tolerance

Larger and larger drug doses must be given to achieve the desirec effect. The patient becomes resistant to the action of a drug as treatmen progresses.

topical application

Drugs are applied locally on the skin or mucous membranes of the body; ointments, creams, and lotions are applied topically.

toxicity

Harmful effects of a drug.

toxicology

Study of harmful chemicals and their effects on the body.

transport

Movement of a drug across a cell membrane into body cells.

United States Pharmacopeia

Authoritative list of drugs, formulas, and preparations that sets a standard for drug manufacturing and dispensing; USP.

vitamin

Substance found in foods and essential in small quantities for growth and good health.

ACE inhibitor

Lowers blood pressure by dilating blood vessels. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors block the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II (a powerful vasoconstrictor).

amphetamine

Central nervous system stimulant.

analgesic

Relieves pain.

androgen

Male hormone.

anesthetic

Reduces or eliminates sensation; general and local.

angiotensin III receptor blocker

Lowers blood pressure by preventing angiotensin from acting on receptors in blood vessels.

antacid

Neutralizes acid in the stomach.

antiandrogen

Blocks the formation of androgens or interferes with their effect in tissues.

antiarrhythmic

Treats abnormal heart rhythms.

antibiotic

Chemical substance, produced by a plant or microorganism, that has the ability to inhibit or destroy foreign organisms in the body.

anticoagulant

Prevents blood clotting.

anticonvulsant

Prevents convulsions (abnormal brain activity).

antidepressant

Relieves symptoms of depression.

antidiabetic

Drug given to prevent or treat diabetes mellitus.

antidiarrheal

Prevents diarrhea.

antiemetic

Prevents nausea and vomiting.

antihistamine

Blocks the action of histamine and helps prevent symptoms of allergy.

antimicrobial

Agent that kills microorganisms or stops their growth.

antinauseant

Relieves nausea and vomiting; antiemetic.

antiplatelet

Reduces the tendency of platelets to stick together and form a clot.

antiulcer

Inhibits the secretion of acid by cells lining the stomach.

antiviral

Acts against viruses such as herpesviruses and HIV.

aromatase inhibitor

Reduces estrogen in the blood by blocking the enzyme aromatase.

beta blocker

Blocks the action of epinephrine at sites on receptors of heart muscle cells, the muscle lining of blood vessels, and bronchial tubes; antiarrhythmic, antianginal, and antihypertensive. Can also be written as beta-blocker.

bisphosphonate

Prevents bone loss in osteoporosis.

caffeine

Central nervous system stimulant (found in coffee and tea).

calcium channel blocker

Blocks the entrance of calcium into heart muscle and muscle lining of blood vessels; used as an antiarrhythmic, antianginal, and antihypertensive; also called calcium antagonist.

cardiac glycoside

Drug that treats heart failure by increasing the force of contraction of the heart; digoxin is an example.

cardiovascular drug

Acts on the heart and blood vessels. This category of drug includes ACE inhibitors, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, cholesterol-lowering drugs or statins, and diuretics.

cathartic

Relieves constipation.

cholesterol-binding drug

Binds to dietary cholesterol and prevents its uptake from the gastrointestinal tract.

cholesterol-lowering drug

Lowers cholesterol by preventing its production by the liver; statin. Other drugs, PCSK9 inhibitors, promote cholesterol clearance from the blood.

diuretic

Increases the production of urine and thus reduces the volume of fluid in the body; antihypertensive.

emetic

Promotes vomiting.

endocrine drug

Hormone or hormone-like drug. Examples are androgens, estrogens, progestins, SERMs, thyroid hormones, and glucocorticoids.

estrogen

Female hormone that promotes development of secondary sex characteristics and supports reproductive tissues.

gastrointestinal drug

Relieves symptoms of diseases in the gastrointestinal tract. Examples are antacids, antiulcer drugs, antidiarrheal drugs, cathartics, laxatives, purgatives, and antinauseants (antiemetics).

glucocorticoid

Hormone from the adrenal cortex that raises blood sugar and reduces inflammation.

hypnotic

Produces sleep or a trance-like state.

laxative

Weak cathartic.

narcotic

Habit-forming drug (potent analgesic) that relieves pain by producing stupor or insensibility; morphine and opium are examples.

progestin

Female hormone that stimulates the uterine lining during pregnancy and is also used in treatment of abnormal uterine bleeding and for hormone replacement therapy.

purgative

Relieves constipation; strong cathartic.

respiratory drug

Treats asthma, emphysema, and infections of the respiratory system. Bronchodilators are examples.

sedative

Mildly hypnotic drug that relaxes without necessarily producing sleep. Benzodiazepines are examples.

stimulant

Excites and promotes activity. Caffeine and amphetamines are examples

thyroid hormone

Stimulates cellular metabolism.

tranquilizer

Controls anxiety and severe disturbances of behavior.

aer/o

air

alges/o

sensitivity to pain

bronch/o

bronchial tube

chem/o

drug or chemical

cras/o

mixture