Pharmacy Terminology

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Absorption

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The process by which substances (including drugs) are taken up by the body and transported to the bloodstream.

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Acidosis

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An acid-base imbalance in which there is an excess acidity (decreased pH) of body fluids, due to an accumulation of acid or an excessive loss of biocarbinate (base).

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Additive

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A drug added to a solution intended for intravenous use. Ex: potassium chloride.

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Adverse drug reaction

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Any undesired or toxic side effects caused by the administration of drugs. Ex: nausea.

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Alkalosis

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An acid-base imbalance in which there is excess alkalinity (increased pH) of body fluids due to an accumulation of alkalies (bases) or reduction of acids.

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Allergen

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Any substance that causes a response in the body, producing the symptoms of an allergy.

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Analgesic

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A drug that relieves pain. Ex: tylenol

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Anaphylaxis

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An allergic hypersensitivity reaction of the body to a substance resulting from prior contact and insensitivity; can be severe in nature.

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Anemia

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A condition characterized by reduction in the number of red blood cells (erythrocytes), or hemoglobin in the blood. Anemia is not a disease, but a symptom.

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Anesthetic

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A drug used to cause loss of sensation, possibly local or general, and which may or may not cause loss of consciousness. Ex: lidocaine

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Aneurysm

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A fact filled with blood and formed by a weakness in the wall of an artery or vein.

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Angina pectoris

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Severe chest pain around the heart that may radiate to the left shoulder and arm, caused by a lack of oxygen to the heart.

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Anoretic

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A drug that causes a decrease in appetite.

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Antacid

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a drug that neutralizes acidity, expecially in the stomach. Ex: mylanta.

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Antagonist

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A drug that opposes the reaction of another drug. Ex: amphetamines are antagonist to barbiturates.

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Antibacterial Agent

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A drug that kills or stops the growth of bacteria.

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Antibiotic

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Any substance natural or synthetic that is capable of destroying or inhibiting the growth of microorganisms.

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Anticoagulant

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a drug that prevents or delays blood coagulation. Ex: coumadin

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Antihistamine

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A drug that counteracts the effects of histamine, a substance included in allergic reactions

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Anti-inflammatory agent

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A drug that counteracts inflammation.

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Antineoplastic agent

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a drug that destroys or prevents the growth of malignant tumor cells, also called "chemotherapeutic agents"

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Antipuritic

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A drug that prevents or relieves itching. Ex: benadryl

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Antipyretic

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A drug that reduces fever. Ex: aspirin

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Antiseptic

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A substance that prevents or inhibits the growth of microorganisms.

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Antispasmodic

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A drug that prevents or relieves spasms, usually in the gastrointestinal or urinary tract.

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Antitoxin

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An antibody produced in response to, and capable of, neutralizing a specific toxin or bacteria, thereby rendering immunity. Ex: tetanus

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Antitussive

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A drug that relieves or prevents coughing. Ex: codeine

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Antiviral agent

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A drug that destroys or inhibits the multiplication of viruses.

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Arrhythmia

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Irregular or inappropriate heartbeat

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Arteriosclerosis

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a condition marked by thickening, hardening, and loss of elasticity of the walls of the arteries.

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Arthritis

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Inflammation of joint tissue, usually accompanied by pain.

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Bacteria

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Single celled microorganisms having various forms, some capable of causing disease.

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Bacteriocidal

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A substance capable of killing bacteria.

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Bacteriostatic

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A substance capable of inhibitinf the growth of, but not killing, bacteria.

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Benign

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Condition that 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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Any substance producing cancer.

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Cathartic

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a drug used to stimulate bowel movements.

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Chemotherapy

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the use of chemical agents in the treatment of disease. many people use this term informally to mean cancer chemotherapy

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Congestive Heart

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inability of the heart to provide adequate blood supply to the tissues and organs.

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Cystitis

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inflammation of the bladder.

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Decongestant

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a drug that reduces congestion of the nose and bronchi.

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Electrocardiogram

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a record of electrical activity of the heart that describes its action.

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Electroencephalogram

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a record of electrical activity of the brain.

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Embolism

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a blood clot or other obstruction that has moved through the blood system. (pulmonary embolism is a blood clot that has moved to the lungs)

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Enzyme

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a complex protein capable of inducing chemical change in other substances without being changed itself. it is produced by living cells and capable of acting independently.

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Excretion

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process by which material is eliminated from the body.

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Expectorant

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a drug that reduces the viscosity and facilitates the removal of respiratory tract fluids.

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Fibrillation

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rapid, ineffective beating of the heart or other muscle fibers.

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Fungus

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a vegetable cellular organism that subsists on organic matter.

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Gastric

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relating to the stomach

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Hepatitis

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inflammation of the liver.

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Hormone

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a substance pronounced by one organ of part of the body, which the blood has carried and affects another organ or part of the body.

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Hypersensitive

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abnormal sensitivity to a stimulus, as in an allergic reaction to a drug.

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Hypertension

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high blood pressure

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Hypnotic

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a drug used to induce sleep. (ex: Halcion)

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Hypotension

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low blood pressure.

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Idiosyncrasy

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a peculiar or unique unpredictable reaction to a stimulus.

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Immunity

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ability to resist and overcome infection.

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Incompatibility

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not suitable for mixture. applied to substance that if mixed would cause an undesirable effect such as precipitation or inactivation.

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Infection

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the invasion of the body by a pathogenic organism, and the body's reaction to the invasion.

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Inflammation

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the process of reaction of tissues to injury, usually accompanied by pain, swelling, heat, and redness.

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Infusion

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the introduction of a sterile solution into the body usually via vein.

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Inhalation

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route by which a drug is administered into the lungs or to the respiratory tract.

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Injection

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the forcing of sterile solution into the blood vessel or other tissue of the body.

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Intradermal

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into the skin. route of administration by which a drug is injected into the skin.

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Intramuscular

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into or within a muscle. route of administration by which a drug is injected into the muscle.

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Intravenous

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into or within a vein. route of administration by which a drug is injected into a vein.

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Malignant

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condition tending to become progressively worse if untreated.

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Metabolism

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biochemical alteration of substances, including 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 relieves pain, but in large doses can cause unconsciousness and coma. it is also addictive and habit forming. (ex: morphine)

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Nephritis

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inflammation of the kidney.

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Nosocomial

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acquired at or originating from a hospital.

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Ophthalmic

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relating to the eye. route by which a drug is administered into the eye.

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Oral

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relating to the mouth. route by which a drug administered by mouth.

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Otic

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relating to the ear. route by which a drug is administered into the ear.

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Parenteral Solutions

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sterile solutions intended for injection.

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Pathogen

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and disease-producing microorganism.

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Pharmacology

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the study of drugs and their effects upon living things.

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Phlebitis

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inflammation of a vein.

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Pruritus

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itching

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Renal

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related to the kidney

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Sedative

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a drug that exerts a quieting effect on mental processes or nervous irritability. (ex: phenobarbital)

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Side Effect

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often undesirable pharmacological effect of a drug produced when therapeutic doses of the drug are administered.

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Sterilization

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destruction or removal of all microorganisms on s substance through exposure to heat, chemical, or other process.

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Subcutaneous

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beneath the skin. route of administration by which a drug is injected beneath the skin.

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Symptom

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any perceptible change in the body or its function that indicates disease or condition.

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Syndrome

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a group of symptoms occurring together and characterizing a particular disease or abnormality.

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Systemic

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pertaining to the whole body rather than one specific part.

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Thrombus

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obstruction of a blood vessel by a foreign substance or a blood clot.

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Toxicity

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harmful or poisonous effect on the human body.

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Tranquilizer

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a drug that relieves anxiety and tension. (ex: diazepam)

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Vaccine

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an agent administered to confer resistance to an infectious disease. (ex: measles vaccine)

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Vasoconstrictor

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a drug that causes constriction or narrowing of blood vessels.

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Vertigo

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dizziness.

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Virus

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a microorganism that is parasitic in nature and capable of causing various diseases. it can grow and reproduce only within living cells.