Dictionary

Pharmacology

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

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.

CPZAn abbreviation for Compazine (prochlorperazine); ISMP advises writing the full drug name.

cromolynA mast cell stabilizer: a drug that stops certain immune cells from releasing histamine, used to prevent allergy symptoms.

current medicationA medicine a person is taking now, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins and herbal products.

cyanocobalaminA form of vitamin B12 given by injection, nasal spray or mouth to treat or prevent B12 deficiency.

cyclobenzaprineA drug that relaxes muscles in spasm, taken by mouth for a short time.

cyclophosphamideA chemotherapy drug, given by mouth or IV, used for many cancers and for some severe autoimmune diseases.

cyclosporineAn immunosuppressant drug that calms the immune system, used mainly to prevent rejection of a transplanted organ.

cytarabineA chemotherapy drug that blocks DNA building, given by IV, SUBQ or into the spinal fluid for leukemia and lymphoma.

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.