Dictionary

Pharmacology

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

D/CAn abbreviation that can mean either discharge or discontinue; it should not be used because the two are easily confused.

dactinomycinAn antitumor antibiotic chemotherapy drug given IV for childhood cancers such as Wilms tumor and some sarcomas.

danazolA synthetic hormone related to testosterone, taken by mouth for endometriosis and to prevent attacks of hereditary angioedema.

dantroleneA muscle relaxant that acts inside muscle cells, given by IV for malignant hyperthermia or by mouth for spasticity.

decongestantA drug that shrinks swollen blood vessels in the nose to relieve a stuffy nose.

dependenceA state in which the body has adapted to a drug, so that stopping it suddenly causes withdrawal symptoms.

detemirA long-acting (basal) insulin given under the skin once or twice a day.

dexamethasoneA strong, long-acting corticosteroid drug that reduces inflammation and calms the immune system.

dextroamphetamineA central nervous system stimulant used for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and narcolepsy.

dextromethorphanA non-opioid cough suppressant sold without a prescription in many cough and cold products.

dextroseA form of glucose sugar given by mouth or IV for energy or to raise a low blood sugar.

dextrose 5% in waterAn IV fluid of 5 grams of glucose in every 100 mL of water, written D5W.

diazepamA long-acting benzodiazepine drug used for anxiety, muscle spasm, alcohol withdrawal and seizures.

diethylstilbestrolA man-made estrogen, once given in pregnancy to prevent miscarriage, no longer used in the US.

digoxinA drug that makes the heart beat more strongly and more slowly.

digoxin levelA blood test that measures how much of the heart drug digoxin is in the blood.

diltiazemA calcium channel blocker that slows the heart rate and relaxes blood vessels, given by mouth or IV.

dimenhydrinateAn antihistamine taken to prevent and treat motion sickness, nausea and vertigo.

dimercaprolAn injected chelating drug that binds heavy metals such as arsenic, mercury, gold and lead so the body can remove them.

diphenhydramineA first-generation antihistamine used for allergies, itching, motion sickness, sleep and some drug reactions.

disulfiramA drug taken by mouth to help people stay away from alcohol by causing an unpleasant reaction if they drink.

diureticA drug that makes the kidneys pass more water and salt out of the body as urine.

dobutamineAn IV drug that makes the heart muscle squeeze harder, used for short-term support of a weak heart.

docusateA stool softener that lets water and fat mix into the stool so it is easier to pass.

donepezilA drug that raises acetylcholine in the brain, used to ease memory and thinking symptoms in Alzheimer disease.

dopamineA natural brain chemical, also given as an IV drug that raises blood pressure and makes the heart pump harder.

dornase alfaAn inhaled enzyme that thins thick mucus in the lungs, used mainly in cystic fibrosis.

dosageThe amount of a drug and how often and for how long it is given.

doseThe amount of a drug given at one time.

doxazosinAn alpha-1 blocker that relaxes blood vessels and the smooth muscle of the prostate and bladder neck.

doxepinA tricyclic drug used at regular doses for depression and anxiety, at low doses for insomnia and as a cream for itching.

doxycyclineA tetracycline antibiotic, usually taken by mouth, that treats many kinds of bacterial infection.

dripA continuous IV infusion of fluid or a drug, given slowly over time by gravity or a pump.

dronabinolA man-made form of THC taken by mouth to ease nausea from chemotherapy and to boost appetite in AIDS-related weight loss.

drug interactionA change in how a drug works when it is taken with another drug, a food, a drink or a supplement.

duloxetineAn SNRI antidepressant that raises serotonin and norepinephrine; it is also used for some kinds of long-term pain.

dystoniaMuscle contractions that a person cannot control, which twist part of the body into an unusual position.