Dictionary

Pharmacology

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

transdermalThrough the skin; used for medicine absorbed from a patch stuck to the skin.

tranylcypromineA monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) antidepressant taken by mouth for depression that has not improved with other drugs.

trazodoneAn antidepressant drug, often given in low doses at bedtime to help with sleep.

tretinoinA form of vitamin A used on the skin for acne and sun damage, and by mouth for one type of leukemia.

triamcinoloneA corticosteroid drug used as a cream, nasal spray or injection to reduce inflammation.

triamtereneA potassium-sparing diuretic: a drug that removes salt and water while keeping potassium in the body.

tricyclic antidepressantAn older type of antidepressant, named for its three-ring chemical structure, also used for nerve pain.

trimethoprimAn antibiotic used mainly for urinary tract infections, most often combined with sulfamethoxazole.

twice dailyTwo times a day; on orders often written BID, from the Latin bis in die.

TXAAn abbreviation for tranexamic acid, a drug that slows the breakdown of blood clots; ISMP advises writing the full name.

UAn abbreviation for "unit" that must not be used in medication orders; write "unit" in full.

UDAn abbreviation for "as directed" (Latin ut dictum) that ISMP advises against; write "as directed."

uterotonicA drug that makes the uterus contract, used to start or strengthen labor or to control bleeding after birth.

vaccineA product that trains the immune system to protect the body against a specific disease.

valacyclovirAn oral antiviral drug for herpes infections: cold sores, genital herpes and shingles.

valproic acidA drug used to prevent seizures, to treat the manic phase of bipolar disorder and to prevent migraines.

valsartanAn angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) used to lower blood pressure and to treat heart failure.

vancomycinAn antibiotic, given by IV for serious gram-positive infections or by mouth for one bowel infection.

vancomycin troughA blood test of the lowest level of the antibiotic vancomycin, drawn just before the next dose.

varicella vaccineA live vaccine given as a shot under the skin to protect against chickenpox.

vasodilationThe widening of blood vessels as the muscle in their walls relaxes, which lets more blood flow through.

vasodilatorA drug that widens blood vessels by relaxing the muscle in their walls.

vasopressinA man-made form of antidiuretic hormone, given by IV mainly to raise blood pressure in shock.

vasopressorA drug that narrows the blood vessels to raise the blood pressure.

venlafaxineAn SNRI antidepressant, taken by mouth, used for depression and anxiety disorders.

verapamilA calcium channel blocker that slows the heart rate and relaxes blood vessels.

vialA small glass or plastic bottle with a rubber stopper that holds a liquid or powdered drug for injection.

vitaminA substance the body needs in small amounts for normal growth and function, mostly from food.

vitamin AA fat-soluble vitamin needed for vision, especially in dim light, healthy skin and a working immune system.

vitamin B12A vitamin from animal foods that the body needs to make red blood cells and keep nerves healthy; also called cobalamin.

vitamin CA water-soluble vitamin in fruits and vegetables that the body needs to make collagen, heal wounds and absorb iron; also called ascorbic acid.

vitamin DA fat-soluble vitamin that the skin makes in sunlight and that helps the body absorb calcium for strong bones.

vitamin EA fat-soluble vitamin that protects cells from damage, found in nuts, seeds, plant oils and green leafy vegetables.

warfarinAn oral anticoagulant drug that lowers the blood's ability to clot by blocking the use of vitamin K.

wortAn old word for a plant or herb, still found in the names of herbal remedies such as St. John's wort.

zafirlukastA tablet that blocks leukotrienes, chemicals that narrow and inflame the airways, used to prevent asthma attacks.

zidovudineAn antiretroviral drug used with other HIV drugs, and to lower the chance of HIV passing from a pregnant person to the baby.

ZnSO4The chemical shorthand for zinc sulfate, a zinc supplement; ISMP advises writing the full name.

zolpidemA prescription sleep medicine used for short-term trouble falling or staying asleep.

µgA symbol for microgram that should not be used in medication orders; write "mcg" instead.