Basic Pharmacology terms

75 glossary entries from the Basic Pharmacology topic of the CCMA test plan. Try free Basic Pharmacology practice questions.

• absorptionMovement of a drug from where it is given into the bloodstream.
• acBefore meals.
• ACEAngiotensin-converting enzyme; ACE inhibitors treat high blood pressure and heart failure. In psychology, ACE also…
• adverse drug reactionA harmful, unintended response to a drug at normal doses.
• allergic reactionAn immune system response to a drug or other substance.
• analgesicA drug that relieves pain.
• antihistamineA drug that blocks histamine (H1) receptors to relieve allergy symptoms.
• antipyreticA drug that reduces fever.
• ARBAngiotensin II receptor blocker, a class of blood pressure drugs.
• BIDTwice a day.
• brand nameThe trade name a company gives its drug product; also called the trade name.
• bronchodilatorA drug that relaxes airway muscles and widens the airways.
• buccalPlaced between the cheek and gum to dissolve.
• capsuleA medication in powder or granules inside a gelatin shell.
• chemical nameA drug name that describes its chemical structure, used mainly by chemists and pharmacists.
• contraindicationA reason a drug or treatment should not be used in a particular patient.
• corticosteroidA medicine that reduces inflammation.
• decongestantA medicine that gives short-term relief of nasal congestion.
• dependenceA compulsive, chronic need for a substance to feel normal physically or psychologically.
• distributionTransport of a drug through body fluids to the sites where it acts.
• diureticA drug or substance that increases urine output.
• drug interactionA change in a drug's effect caused by another drug, a food, a supplement or a medical condition.
• duration of actionHow long a drug keeps working.
• ECEnteric-coated: a tablet coating that delays dissolving. Never crush an enteric-coated tablet.
• elixirA liquid medication form with sugar, flavoring and alcohol.
• enteralA route through the digestive tract, such as by mouth or feeding tube.
• ER, XRExtended release: a form that releases the drug slowly over time. Never crush an extended-release tablet.
• excretionRemoval of a drug from the body, mainly through the kidneys.
• first-pass effectMetabolism of an oral drug before it reaches its site of action, which reduces the amount of active drug.
• formularyThe list of drugs a plan covers, often grouped into cost tiers.
• generic nameThe official, nonproprietary name of a drug, such as ibuprofen.
• gttDrops, a unit for liquid medications such as eye drops.
• half-lifeThe time it takes for the drug level in the blood to drop by half.
• indicationThe reason a drug is prescribed.
• IVPIntravenous push (a drug injected directly into a vein); in imaging, an intravenous pyelogram of the urinary tract.
• LLiter, a metric unit of volume. Write a capital L; a lowercase l can be misread as the number 1.
• laxativeA medicine that promotes bowel movements to relieve constipation.
• mcgMicrogram, a metric unit of mass. Write mcg; the symbol µg can be misread as mg.
• MDIMetered-dose inhaler: a handheld canister device that sprays a set dose of medicine to be inhaled into the lungs.
• metric systemA decimal measuring system based on units of 10, such as grams, liters and meters.
• mLMilliliter, a metric unit of volume. Write mL; ISMP lists lowercase ml and cc as error-prone.
• NASIntranasal: given into the nose. ISMP prefers NAS to IN, which can be misread as IM or IV.
• NDCNational Drug Code: the FDA product identifier printed on drug packages.
• NSAIDNonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, such as ibuprofen, used for pain, fever and inflammation.
• 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.
• OTCOver the counter: a medication that can be bought without a prescription.
• parenteralA route that bypasses the digestive tract, such as an injection.
• pcAfter meals.
• pharmacodynamicsWhat a drug does to the body: how it acts on receptors and organs to produce effects.
• pharmacokineticsWhat the body does to a drug: absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion.
• pharmacologyThe study of drugs and their effects on the body.
• POBy mouth (orally).
• polypharmacyUse of many medications at once, which raises the risk of interactions and side effects.
• PPIProton pump inhibitor: a drug that reduces stomach acid production.
• PRNAs needed. The medication is taken only when the symptom occurs, within the limits of the order.
• PRN orderA medication order to give a drug only as needed, within the ordered limits.
• qEvery; combined with a time, as in q6h (every 6 hours) or q2d (every 2 days).
• QIDFour times a day. Not the same as q4h, which means every 4 hours.
• RxPrescription.
• side effectA predictable, usually unwanted effect of a drug besides the intended one.
• SRSustained release: a form that releases the drug gradually over time; do not crush it.
• standing orderA standardized order that may be carried out under defined circumstances without a new individual order.
• STATImmediately; an urgent order that must be carried out right away.
• stat orderA medication order to be carried out immediately.
• sublingualPlaced under the tongue to dissolve.
• suppositoryA solid medication form that melts inside a body cavity, such as the rectum, and is absorbed.
• tabletA solid dose made of compressed powder.
• teratogenAnything, such as a drug, chemical, alcohol or infection, that can cause birth defects.
• TIDThree times a day.
• toleranceA reduced response to a drug over time, so a larger dose is needed for the same effect.
• toxicityThe degree to which a drug can poison or harm the body.
• tPATissue plasminogen activator, a clot-dissolving drug. ISMP advises writing the full drug name.
• transdermalDelivery of a drug through the skin, usually by a patch.