Dictionary

Pharmacology

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

miconazoleAn azole antifungal drug used on the skin, in the vagina or in the mouth for yeast and fungal infections.

midazolamA short-acting benzodiazepine used for sedation before procedures and to stop seizures.

mifepristoneA drug that blocks the hormone progesterone, used with misoprostol to end an early pregnancy, and for some hormone disorders.

mineral oilA lubricant laxative, taken by mouth or as an enema, that coats stool so it passes more easily.

mineralocorticoidA steroid hormone, or a drug that acts like one, that makes the kidneys keep sodium and water and remove potassium.

mirtazapineAn antidepressant taken at bedtime that often causes sleepiness and increased appetite.

misoprostolA prostaglandin drug that protects the stomach lining and also makes the cervix soften and the uterus contract.

misuseUsing something in the wrong way or for the wrong purpose, such as taking a medicine other than as prescribed.

mL/hrMilliliters per hour: the unit for how fast an IV fluid, infusion or tube feeding runs.

MMR vaccineA combination vaccine that protects against measles, mumps and rubella.

modafinilA drug that promotes wakefulness, used for excessive sleepiness from narcolepsy, sleep apnea or shift work.

moderate sedationA drug-induced state of relaxed, lowered awareness in which the client still responds to voice or light touch and breathes on their own.

monoamine oxidase inhibitorA type of antidepressant that blocks an enzyme which breaks down mood chemicals in the brain.

montelukastA tablet that blocks leukotrienes, chemicals that narrow and inflame the airways, used to prevent asthma symptoms and ease allergies.

morphineA strong opioid drug used to relieve moderate to severe pain.

MSAn abbreviation that can stand for morphine sulfate, magnesium sulfate or multiple sclerosis.

MSO4The shorthand for morphine sulfate, banned from medication orders by the Joint Commission.

MTXAn abbreviation for methotrexate; ISMP advises writing the full drug name.

mupirocinAn antibiotic ointment or cream used on the skin or inside the nose.

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.

octreotideA man-made form of somatostatin, a hormone that slows the release of growth hormone and many gut hormones.

ODAn abbreviation that has been used for right eye, for once daily and for overdose.

ointmentA greasy, semisolid preparation, often containing a drug, that is spread on the skin, eyes or mucous membranes.

OJAn abbreviation for orange juice that ISMP advises against in medication orders.

olanzapineA second-generation antipsychotic drug used for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

omega-3 fatty acidA kind of healthy unsaturated fat found in oily fish, flaxseed, walnuts and some plant oils.

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