Dictionary

Pharmacology

Drugs, drug classes and the words used to give medications safely.

calcitoninA hormone made by the thyroid gland that lowers blood calcium; a lab-made form is used as a drug.

calcitriolThe active form of vitamin D, given as a drug to raise calcium absorption or, as an ointment, for psoriasis.

calcium carbonateA calcium salt taken by mouth as an antacid for heartburn and as a calcium supplement.

calcium channel blockerA drug that slows the movement of calcium into heart and blood vessel muscle cells, relaxing the vessels.

calcium chlorideA calcium salt given by IV to raise the blood calcium quickly.

calcium citrateA calcium supplement taken by mouth that can be absorbed with or without food.

calcium gluconateA calcium salt, given IV or by mouth, used to raise a low blood calcium level and in some emergencies.

cannabidiolA compound from the cannabis plant that does not cause a high, sold as a prescription seizure drug and in many products.

capsaicinA pain-relief cream, lotion or patch made from the substance that makes chili peppers hot.

capsuleA drug form in which medicine is held inside a small shell, usually of gelatin, that is swallowed.

captoprilAn ACE inhibitor taken by mouth to lower blood pressure and to treat heart failure.

carbamazepineA drug used to prevent seizures, to treat a type of facial nerve pain and to stabilize mood in bipolar disorder.

carboprostA prostaglandin drug injected into muscle to make the uterus contract strongly.

carvedilolA beta blocker that also widens blood vessels, taken by mouth for heart failure and high blood pressure.

catecholamineAny of a group of hormones and neurotransmitters, mainly epinephrine, norepinephrine and dopamine, that act in the body's stress response.

ccAn abbreviation for cubic centimeter, a unit of volume equal to 1 milliliter.

cefazolinA first-generation cephalosporin antibiotic given by injection into a vein or muscle.

ceftriaxoneA third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic given by injection into a vein or muscle.

celecoxibAn NSAID drug that targets the COX-2 enzyme, used for arthritis pain and inflammation and for short-term pain.

cephalexinA first-generation cephalosporin antibiotic taken by mouth for skin, urinary, ear and other bacterial infections.

cephalosporinA large group of antibiotics related to penicillin that kill bacteria by damaging their cell walls.

cetirizineA second-generation antihistamine used for allergy symptoms and hives.

chloramphenicolA broad-spectrum antibiotic kept for serious infections when safer antibiotics cannot be used.

chlordiazepoxideA long-acting benzodiazepine used for anxiety and for alcohol withdrawal.

chloroquineAn oral drug used to prevent and treat malaria in areas where the parasite is still sensitive to it.

chlorpromazineAn older antipsychotic drug, also used for severe nausea and vomiting and for hiccups that will not stop.

chlorpropamideAn older oral diabetes drug of the sulfonylurea group that makes the pancreas release more insulin.

cholecalciferolVitamin D3, the form of vitamin D the skin makes in sunlight, also taken as a supplement.

cholinergic agonistA drug that acts like acetylcholine, the main messenger of the parasympathetic ("rest and digest") nervous system.

cimetidineAn H2 blocker taken by mouth that lowers the amount of acid the stomach makes.

ciprofloxacinA fluoroquinolone antibiotic, by mouth or IV, used for urinary, gut, bone and some lung infections.

cisplatinA platinum-based cancer drug given by IV that damages the DNA of cancer cells.

citalopramAn SSRI antidepressant used to treat depression.

clindamycinAn antibiotic that stops bacteria from making proteins, given by mouth, by IV or on the skin.

clonazepamA long-acting benzodiazepine drug used for seizure disorders and panic disorder.

clonidineA drug that acts in the brain to lower nerve signals that tighten blood vessels, used for high blood pressure and other conditions.

clopidogrelAn antiplatelet drug that keeps platelets from clumping together to form clots.

clotrimazoleAn antifungal drug used on the skin, in the vagina or as a mouth lozenge to treat yeast and other fungal infections.

clozapineAn atypical antipsychotic drug used for schizophrenia when other antipsychotics have not worked.

CNS stimulantA drug that speeds up activity in the brain and nervous system, raising alertness and focus.

codeineA mild opioid drug taken by mouth for mild to moderate pain and sometimes for cough.

colchicineA drug that treats and prevents gout attacks by calming inflammation in the joints.

compatibilityWhether two things, such as two drugs or a donor's and a recipient's blood, can be put together safely.

continuous infusionAn IV fluid or drug given without stopping, at a steady rate, usually by an infusion pump.

contraceptionThe use of a method, device or drug to prevent pregnancy.

contraceptiveA drug or device used to prevent pregnancy.

contraindicationA reason not to give a drug or do a treatment, because in that person it could cause harm.

controlled substanceA drug whose making, prescribing and use are strictly regulated by law because it can be misused or cause dependence.

corticosteroidA drug that acts like the hormones of the adrenal glands, used mainly to calm inflammation and the immune system.

cortisoneA glucocorticoid steroid hormone, which the liver turns into the active hormone cortisol; also made as a drug.