Dictionary

Pharmacology

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

pioglitazoneA diabetes pill that makes the body's cells respond better to insulin.

piperacillinA broad-spectrum penicillin antibiotic given IV, in the US always combined with tazobactam.

PITAn abbreviation for Pitocin (oxytocin); ISMP advises writing the full drug name.

PNVAn abbreviation for prenatal vitamins; ISMP advises writing the full name.

poisoningHarm to the body caused by swallowing, breathing in, touching or being injected with a harmful substance, or taking too much of a drug.

polypharmacyThe use of many medicines at the same time by one person, often defined as five or more.

potassium chlorideA potassium salt given by mouth or IV to treat or prevent a low blood potassium level.

potassium iodideAn iodine salt taken by mouth that shuts down the thyroid's hormone release and blocks radioactive iodine.

potassium supplementA medicine that adds potassium to the body, most often potassium chloride, given by mouth or IV.

potassium-sparing diureticA diuretic that increases urine output while keeping potassium in the body.

povidoneA water-soluble synthetic substance used to carry iodine in antiseptics and to bind ingredients in many medicines.

PRAn abbreviation most often meaning per rectum (by way of the rectum); on an ECG it names the PR interval.

pravastatinA statin drug taken by mouth to lower LDL cholesterol and the risk of heart attack and stroke.

precipitateTo cause something to happen suddenly; also, solid particles that form in a liquid, or happening very fast.

prednisoloneA corticosteroid drug, often given as a liquid or eye drops, that reduces inflammation and calms the immune system.

prednisoneA corticosteroid drug taken by mouth to reduce inflammation and calm the immune system.

prefilled syringeA syringe that comes already filled with a set dose of a drug or solution, ready to use.

pregabalinA drug used for nerve pain, fibromyalgia and, with other drugs, for some seizures.

prescribeTo order a medicine or treatment for a person, as a licensed health care provider.

prescriptionA written or electronic order from a licensed prescriber for a drug, device or treatment.

prescription drugA drug that can only be legally sold or given with an order from a licensed prescriber.

PRNAs needed: an order for a drug or treatment to be given only when the client needs it, within set limits.

probenecidA drug that helps the kidneys get rid of uric acid, taken to prevent gout attacks.

probioticLive, helpful bacteria or yeasts taken in food or supplements to support the normal germs of the gut.

prochlorperazineA phenothiazine drug used mainly to treat severe nausea and vomiting.

progesteroneA female sex hormone that prepares the lining of the uterus for pregnancy and helps keep a pregnancy going, also given as a drug.

promethazineAn antihistamine used for nausea and vomiting, motion sickness, allergies and sedation.

prophylaxisTreatment given to prevent a disease or problem, rather than to treat one that is already present.

propofolA fast-acting IV drug used to put clients to sleep for surgery or procedures and to sedate clients on a ventilator.

propranololA beta blocker that slows the heart and lowers blood pressure by blocking adrenaline's effects on the heart and lungs.

propylthiouracilAn antithyroid drug taken by mouth that lowers the amount of thyroid hormone the body makes.

prostaglandinA hormone-like fatty substance made in many tissues that acts on pain, inflammation, blood flow and uterine contractions; also drugs that copy it.

protamineAn IV drug that binds heparin and reverses its blood-thinning effect.

proton pump inhibitorA drug that strongly lowers the amount of acid the stomach makes.

pseudoephedrineA decongestant taken by mouth that shrinks swollen blood vessels in the nose to ease a stuffy nose.

psylliumA bulk-forming fiber laxative made from the husks of plant seeds.

PTUA short form of propylthiouracil, an antithyroid drug; ISMP advises writing the full drug name.

pyrazinamideAn oral antitubercular drug used for the first 2 months of treatment for active tuberculosis.

pyridoxineVitamin B6, given as a supplement or drug.

QDAn old abbreviation for "every day" that is banned because it is easily misread; write "daily" instead.

qhsEvery night at bedtime, from the Latin quaque hora somni.

qnAn abbreviation for "nightly" that ISMP advises against; write "nightly" or "at bedtime."

QODAn abbreviation for "every other day" that must not be used; write "every other day" in full.

quetiapineA second-generation antipsychotic drug used for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and, with other drugs, depression.

quinineAn antimalarial drug made from the bark of the cinchona tree, taken by mouth for malaria.

raloxifeneA drug that acts like estrogen on bone, used to prevent and treat osteoporosis after menopause.

ranitidineAn H2 blocker that lowers stomach acid, taken off the US market in 2020.

rapid-acting insulinInsulin that starts to work within about 15 minutes and is timed with meals.

reabsorptionThe taking back of water and dissolved substances from the fluid in the kidney tubules into the blood.

receptorA structure on or in a cell that a specific chemical, such as a hormone or drug, attaches to in order to act.