Word parts
What it means
How poisonous something is, and the harm it causes. Drug toxicity happens when the level in the blood rises too high, from too large a dose, kidneys or liver that clear the drug poorly, or drug interactions. Some drugs have a narrow therapeutic range, so the safe level is close to the toxic level; their blood levels are checked, as with digoxindih-JOK-sinA drug that makes the heart beat more strongly and more slowly.Full entry , lithiumLITH-ee-umA mood-stabilizing drug used mainly to treat and prevent the mood episodes of bipolar disorder.Full entry and some antibiotics.
For the nurse
Know the early signs of toxicity for high-risk drugs, check ordered drug levels and kidney function, and hold the dose and report if signs appear.
In a chart
"Lithium level 2.1 mEq/L; client has coarse tremor and vomiting; dose held, provider notified."
At a glance
| Spanish | toxicidad |
|---|---|
| Also written | toxicities, toxic |
Related terms
digoxin
A drug that makes the heart beat more strongly and more slowly.
side effect
An effect of a drug, other than the one it is given for, that is known and expected to happen in some people.
adverse effect
An unwanted and harmful effect of a drug or treatment given at a normal dose.
excretion
The removal of wastes, or of a drug and its breakdown products, from the body.
lithium
A mood-stabilizing drug used mainly to treat and prevent the mood episodes of bipolar disorder.