Dictionary

Pharmacology

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

absorptionThe taking in of a substance, such as a drug or a nutrient, into the bloodstream.

acarboseA diabetes pill that slows the breakdown of starches and sugars in the gut, so blood glucose rises less after meals.

ACE inhibitorA blood pressure drug that blocks the enzyme that makes angiotensin II, so blood vessels relax and less fluid is held in the body.

acetaminophenA drug that relieves mild to moderate pain and lowers fever.

acetylcholineA chemical messenger that nerves release to signal muscles, glands and other nerves.

acetylcysteineA drug used as the antidote for acetaminophen overdose and, when inhaled, to thin thick mucus.

activated charcoalA black powder or liquid given by mouth or tube that binds some poisons and drugs in the gut so less is absorbed.

acyclovirAn antiviral drug used against herpes virus infections, such as cold sores, genital herpes, chickenpox and shingles.

ADAn abbreviation that has been used for right ear, and also for Alzheimer disease and advance directive.

adalimumabA biologic drug, injected under the skin, that blocks tumor necrosis factor, a protein that drives inflammation.

adenosineA drug given by fast IV push that briefly slows electrical conduction through the heart.

adjuvantAdded to a main treatment to help it work better; also a substance added to a vaccine to strengthen the immune response.

adrenergicRelating to nerves and receptors that respond to epinephrine and norepinephrine, or a drug that acts like them.

adrenergic agonistA drug that acts like epinephrine or norepinephrine on the body's adrenergic receptors.

adverse effectAn unwanted and harmful effect of a drug or treatment given at a normal dose.

adverse eventHarm to a client that results from medical care rather than from the client's illness.

agonistA drug or body chemical that attaches to a receptor on a cell and switches it on.

agranulocytosisA severe drop in granulocytes, the white blood cells that fight bacterial infection, mainly neutrophils.

albendazoleAn oral drug that kills tapeworms and other parasitic worms.

albuterolA fast-acting inhaled drug that relaxes and opens the airways.

alendronateA bisphosphonate taken by mouth to prevent and treat osteoporosis.

allopurinolA drug that lowers the body's production of uric acid, taken daily to prevent gout attacks and kidney stones.

alprazolamA benzodiazepine drug taken by mouth to treat anxiety and panic disorder.

alteplaseA clot-dissolving drug (thrombolytic) given IV; a man-made form of tissue plasminogen activator.

amantadineA drug used for Parkinson disease and its movement side effects, first made as an antiviral for influenza.

aminoglycosideA group of strong antibiotics, mostly given by IV or injection, that kill many gram-negative bacteria.

aminophyllineA form of theophylline, given by IV or by mouth, that relaxes and opens the airways.

amiodaroneA drug used to treat and prevent serious abnormal heart rhythms.

amitriptylineA tricyclic antidepressant, used for depression and often in low doses for nerve pain, migraine prevention and sleep.

amlodipineA calcium channel blocker taken once a day to lower blood pressure and prevent chest pain (angina).

amoxicillinA penicillin-type antibiotic, usually taken by mouth, that kills many kinds of bacteria.

amphetamineA stimulant drug that increases alertness and attention, used for ADHD and narcolepsy.

ampicillinA penicillin antibiotic, given by mouth or by injection, that treats many bacterial infections.

analgesiaRelief from pain without loss of consciousness, or the treatment used to bring that relief.

analgesicA drug that relieves pain.

androgenA male sex hormone, such as testosterone, or a drug that acts like one.

anestheticA drug that causes loss of feeling, with or without loss of consciousness.

angioedemaSwelling in the deeper layers of the skin and the lining of the mouth, throat or gut.

angiotensin II receptor blockerA drug that blocks the hormone angiotensin II so blood vessels relax and blood pressure falls.

antacidA drug that neutralizes stomach acid to relieve heartburn and indigestion.

antagonistA drug that attaches to a receptor and blocks it, so the body's own chemicals or other drugs cannot act there.

anti-factor Xa levelA blood test that measures how strongly heparin or a similar drug is blocking clotting factor Xa.

anti-infectiveA drug that kills or stops the growth of germs that cause infection.

anti-inflammatoryReducing inflammation; also a drug that does this.

antiarrhythmicA drug used to prevent or treat an abnormal heart rhythm.

antibioticA drug that kills bacteria or stops them from growing.

antibiotic resistanceThe ability of bacteria to survive an antibiotic that used to kill them or stop their growth.

anticholinergicA drug or effect that blocks acetylcholine, a nerve messenger, in parts of the nervous system.

anticoagulantA drug that slows the blood's ability to form clots.

anticoagulationThe use of drugs that slow the blood's clotting, to prevent or treat blood clots.