Dictionary

Pharmacology

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

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.

efficacyThe ability of a drug or treatment to produce the effect it is meant to have.

enoxaparinA low-molecular-weight heparin, injected under the skin, that prevents and treats blood clots.

enteralBy way of the digestive tract, such as by mouth or through a feeding tube into the stomach or intestine.

entericRelating to the intestines.

ephedrineA drug, given by IV injection, that raises blood pressure and heart rate.

epidural anesthesiaPain relief or numbness from an anesthetic drug given through a thin catheter into the space just outside the covering of the spinal cord.

epinephrineA hormone and drug, also called adrenaline, that raises heart rate and blood pressure and opens the airways.

epoetin alfaA man-made form of erythropoietin, the kidney hormone that tells the bone marrow to make red blood cells.

ergocalciferolVitamin D2: a form of vitamin D taken by mouth to treat or prevent vitamin D deficiency.

ergotamineAn ergot drug that narrows blood vessels, taken at the start of a migraine or cluster headache to stop it.

erythromycinA macrolide antibiotic, also given to newborns as an eye ointment to prevent eye infection.

erythropoietinA hormone made mainly by the kidneys that tells the bone marrow to make red blood cells.

escitalopramAn SSRI antidepressant used for depression and generalized anxiety disorder.

esomeprazoleA proton pump inhibitor: a drug that sharply lowers the amount of acid the stomach makes.

estrogenA female sex hormone, made mainly by the ovaries, and the group of drugs that act like it.

ethambutolAn oral antitubercular drug used with other drugs to treat tuberculosis.

etonogestrelA progestin hormone used in a birth control implant placed under the skin of the upper arm.

every 2 hoursAt two-hour intervals, around the clock unless the order says otherwise; written q2h.

every hourA timing direction meaning once in each 60 minutes, abbreviated "qh" from the Latin quaque hora.

excreteTo get rid of waste from the body, in urine, stool, sweat or breath.

excretionThe removal of wastes, or of a drug and its breakdown products, from the body.

expiration dateThe date after which a drug, supply or product should no longer be used.

extravasationThe leaking of an IV drug that damages tissue (a vesicant) out of the vein into the surrounding tissue.

famciclovirAn oral antiviral drug for herpes virus infections, including shingles, cold sores and genital herpes.

famotidineAn H2 blocker, given by mouth or IV, that lowers the amount of acid the stomach makes.

fat emulsionA milky-white IV fluid of fats, usually from soybean, olive or fish oil, given as part of nutrition by vein.

FDAThe US Food and Drug Administration: the federal agency that regulates drugs, medical devices, vaccines and food safety.

fentanylA very strong, fast-acting opioid pain drug given by IV, skin patch or through the lining of the mouth.

ferrous sulfateAn iron salt taken by mouth to treat or prevent low iron in the body.

fexofenadineA second-generation antihistamine taken for seasonal allergies and hives, with little drowsiness.

filgrastimA man-made growth factor, injected, that tells the bone marrow to make more neutrophils, a type of white blood cell.

finasterideA drug that blocks the change of testosterone into a stronger hormone, shrinking the prostate and slowing hair loss.

fluconazoleAn antifungal drug, by mouth or IV, used mainly for yeast (Candida) infections.

flucytosineAn oral antifungal drug used with other antifungals to treat serious yeast and fungal infections.

fludrocortisoneA steroid tablet that makes the kidneys keep sodium and water, used to replace a missing adrenal hormone.

flumazenilAn IV drug that blocks benzodiazepines and reverses the sedation they cause.

fluorideA mineral that makes tooth enamel stronger and more resistant to decay.

fluorouracilA cancer drug that blocks DNA building in fast-growing cells, given by IV or used as a skin cream.

fluoxetineAn SSRI antidepressant: a drug that raises the level of serotonin available in the brain.

fluphenazineA first-generation antipsychotic drug for schizophrenia, given by mouth or as a long-acting injection.

fluticasoneA corticosteroid used as an inhaler for asthma, a nasal spray for allergies, or a cream for skin inflammation.

folic acidA B vitamin (vitamin B9) that the body needs to make DNA and red blood cells.