pharmacodynamics

Medical term Basic Pharmacology

What a drug does to the body: how it acts on receptors and organs to produce effects.

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Related terms

ointmentA greasy semisolid medication applied to the skin.
onset of actionThe time from giving a drug until it begins to work.
opioidA class of strong pain-relieving drugs derived from opium, which comes from the poppy plant.
parenteralA route that bypasses the digestive tract, such as an injection.
pharmacokineticsWhat the body does to a drug: absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion.
pharmacologyThe study of drugs and their effects on the body.
polypharmacyUse of many medications at once, which raises the risk of interactions and side effects.
PRN orderA medication order to give a drug only as needed, within the ordered limits.