Dictionary

Pharmacology

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

naloxoneA drug that blocks the effects of opioids at their receptors.

naltrexoneAn opioid antagonist used to treat alcohol use disorder and to prevent relapse in opioid use disorder.

naproxenA nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) taken by mouth that eases pain, fever and inflammation.

nebulizerA machine that turns liquid drug into a fine mist that a person breathes in through a mouthpiece or mask.

neomycinAn aminoglycoside antibiotic used by mouth to reduce gut bacteria and on the skin in antibiotic ointments.

neostigmineA drug that blocks the enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine, so nerve signals to muscles get stronger.

neuromuscular blocking agentA drug that blocks signals from nerves to skeletal muscles, so the muscles relax completely and cannot move.

neurotransmitterA chemical that a nerve cell releases to pass a signal to another nerve, muscle or gland cell.

niacinVitamin B3, which the body uses to turn food into energy; high doses are given to change the fats in the blood.

nicardipineA calcium channel blocker, most often given as an IV infusion, that relaxes blood vessels to lower blood pressure.

nicotineThe addictive chemical in tobacco and most e-cigarettes.

nifedipineA calcium channel blocker taken by mouth that relaxes blood vessels to lower blood pressure.

nitrateA drug, such as nitroglycerin, that relaxes and widens blood vessels.

nitrofurantoinAn antibiotic taken by mouth that concentrates in the urine, used to treat and prevent bladder infections.

nonopioid analgesicA pain medicine that is not an opioid, such as acetaminophen or an NSAID.

nonsteroidalNot a steroid; used for drugs that work in a different way from steroid hormones.

nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugA drug that relieves pain, fever and inflammation and is not a steroid, such as ibuprofen or naproxen.

norepinephrineA hormone and nerve messenger that narrows blood vessels and raises blood pressure, also given as an IV drug.

norethindroneA progestin hormone used in progestin-only birth control pills and to treat some menstrual problems.

nortriptylineA tricyclic antidepressant taken by mouth for depression, also used for nerve pain.

NPHNeutral protamine Hagedorn, the intermediate-acting insulin; in neurology notes, normal pressure hydrocephalus.

NPH insulinAn intermediate-acting, cloudy insulin, usually given once or twice a day.

NSAn abbreviation used most often for normal saline, a solution of 0.9% sodium chloride in water.

nystatinAn antifungal drug used as a liquid, cream or powder to treat yeast (Candida) infections of the mouth, skin and gut.