Pharmacy Tech Terminology

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Absorption

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process by which substances are taken up & transported to the bloodstream

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acidosis

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acid-balance imbalance in which the blood bcomes excessively acidic

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addiction

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pattern of compulsive use characterized by overwhelming involvement with the drug

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additive effect

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when the effects of two drugs or more is equal to the sum of their individual effect

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adverse effect

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effects occurring other than the desired effect

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alkalosis

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acid-base imbalance in which the blood becomes excessively alkalotic

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allergen

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a substance (ex. pollen) that stimulates cell responses & produces symptoms of allergy

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analgesic

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a drug that relieves pain (ie aspirin, acetamonphen)

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anaphylaxis

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hypersensitivity reaction (allergic reaction) characterized by edema, hypertension, shortness of breath. A life threatening condition

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anemia

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blood deficiency of the pigment hemoglobin, which transport oxygen

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anesthetic

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an agent used to abolish sensation, may be local (novocaine) or general

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aneurysm

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sac filled with blood, formed by weakness in the wall of the artery or vein

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anorectic

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a drug that depresses appetite

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angina pectoris

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attack of chest pain, caused by insufficient supply of oxygen to the heart

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antagonist

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a drug that opposes the action of another drug

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anthelmintic

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an agent that destroys or paralyzes parasitic worm (ex: pin worm treatment)

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antibiotic

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a substance produced from living microorganism capable of killing or inhibiting the growth of another microorganism

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anticoagulant

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an agent that prevents or delays clotting of the blood (ex. coumadin)

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antihistamine

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a drug that antagonized the effect of histamine

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antineoplastic

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an agent that destroys or inhibits tumor cells

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antiprurtic

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an agent that relieves itching (ex. benadryl, steroid creams)

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antipyretic

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an agent that reduces fever (ex. tylenol)

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antiseptic

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an agent that destroys or inhibits growth of microorganisms and may be applied safely to living tissue

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antitussive

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a drug that relieves coughing

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arrhythmia

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an irregular heartbeat

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arteriosclerosis

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thickening, hardening, loss of elasticity of the veins

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bacteria

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microorganisms that have varies forms and often cause disease

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bacteriostatic

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inhibits the growth of bacteria, allowing the body to fight the bacteria

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benign

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conditions which does not threaten health

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biopsy

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removal of a small piece of tissue for examination

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carcinogen

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a substance that may cause cancer

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cathartic

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a drug used to stimulate bowel movement

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caustic

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an agent that causes burning and destruction of tissue

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cereberal

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pertaining to the brain

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chemotherapy

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treatment or prevention of disease by administering chemical agents

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congestive heart failure

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decreased ability of the heart to supply blood to tissue & organs, results in swelling in feet & ankles & fluid build up in the lungs

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cumulative effects

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toxic effects that result from repeatedly administering a drug faster than the body can eliminating it, results in a build up of the drug

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cystitis

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inflammation of the urinary bladder

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decongestant

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a drug that relieves congestion and opens blocked nasal & bronchi

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decubitis ulcer

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bed sore, caused by prolonged pressure of the skin

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dependence

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altered state where continued administration of the drug is necessary to prevent physical or psychological withdrawal

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depressant

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an agent that decreases the rate at which some cellular processes occur (ex. alcohol)

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disinfectant

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an agent that destroys microorganisms

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electrocardiogram

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graphic record of heart's electrical activity

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electroencephalogram

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graphic record of brain's activity

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erythrocyte

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red blood cell

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expectorant

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an agent that decreases the viscosity of respiratory tract secretions

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fibrillation

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rapid heart beat

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herpes simplex

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acute viral disease marked by watery blisters (cold sores, fever blisters)

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hormone

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substance formed by one organ that is transported through the blood to a site where it affects the function of another organ

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erythrocyte

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red blood cell

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expectorant

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an agent that decreases the viscosity of respiratory tract secretions

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fibrillation

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rapid heart beat

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herpes simplex

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acute viral disease marked by watery blisters (cold sores, fever blisters)

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hormone

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substance formed by one organ that is transported through the blood to a site where it affects the function of another organ

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hyperkinetic

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abnormally increased motor function or activity

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hypersensitive

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tending to exhibit an abnormally increased response to a drug or agent

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hypotension

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low blood pressure

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idiosyncrasy

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abnormal or peculiar response to a certain drug in a particular individual

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immunity

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ability to resist and overcome infection

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infection

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invasion of the body by pathogenic organisms

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inflammation

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reaction of tissue to injuries (ie pain, swelling, redness)

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infusion

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slow injection of a solution into a vein or subcutaneous tissue

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intracardiac

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route by which the drug is administered into the heart

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inhalation

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route by which the drug is administered into the lung or respiratory tract

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intramuscular

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route by which the drug is injected into the muscle

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intradermal

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route by which drug is administered into the skin

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intravenous

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into or within a vein

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jaundice

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yellow appearance of skin, eye and other tissue due to deposits of bile pigment

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laxative

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drug used to stimulate evacuation of bowels

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leukemia

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disease characterized by extremely high leukocyte counts

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leukocyte

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white blood cells

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malignant

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condition tending to become progessively worse if untreated

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mastectomy

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removal of both breast

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metabolism

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biochemical alteration of substances (drugs) within the body

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metastasis

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spreading of disease from one organ, or part to another

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narcotic

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a drug that induces insensibility and relieves pain but is also addicting

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nephritis

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inflammation of the kidney

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noscomical

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acquired at or originating from a hospital

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ophthalmic

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relating to the eye

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oral

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relating to the mouth

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otic

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relating to the ear

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parenteral

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administered by IV

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pathogen

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any disease producing microorganism

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pathology

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study of disease and changes they cause in the body

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phelbitis

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inflammation of the veins

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pruritis

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itching

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renal

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pertaining to the kidneys

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respiration

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process by which body exchanges gases into the environment

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sedative

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a drug that exerts a quieting effect on mental processes

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shock

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acute peripheral circulatory failure due to interruption of or loss of circulating fluid (blood)

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side-effect

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undesirable pharmacological effect of a drug

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sterilize

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to render objects free of microorganisms by using chemicals or heat

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subcutaneous

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drug injected under the skin

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symptom

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specific functional evidence of disease

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syncope

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fainting

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syndrome

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set of symptoms occurring together

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synergistic response

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when the effect to two or more combined drugs is greater than the sum of their individual effects

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systemic

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pertaining to or affecting the body as a whole

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teratogenic effect

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causing damage or defect in an unborn child

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tolerance

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the need to increase the dose of a drug to obtain desired effect

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toxicity

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harmful or poisonous effect on the human body, usually from excessive amount of a drug

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toxin

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poison produced by a living organism

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tracheotomy

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incision into the trachea through the skin and neck muscle to allow breathing

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tranquilizer

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a drug that relieves anxiety and tension

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vaccine

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an agent administered to establish resistance to an infectious disease

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vasoconstrictor

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a drug that causes narrowing of the blood vessels (pseudophedrine)

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vasodilator

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a drug that causes widening of blood vessels (nitroglycerine)

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vermicide

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a drug that destroys parasitic worms

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vertigo

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dizziness

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virus

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microscopic agent capable of growth & replication only in living cells