ch. 04 introduction to pharmacology key terms
antibiotics
A chemical substance with the ability to kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria by interfering with bacterial life processes
Corticosteroids
Steroid hormone produced by the adrenal cortex often used to reduce inflammation and pain
bioequivalent drugs
A generic drug that delivers approximately the same amount of active ingredient into a healthy volunteers bloodstream in the same amount of time as the innovator or brand name drug
Pharmacology
The science of drugs and their interactions with the system of living animals
withdrawal symptoms
Effects, such as agitation, muscle aches, nausea and vomiting, sweating depression, insomnia, and other as the body struggles to adjust to the lack of the substance to which it is accustomed
Anticonvulsants
A drug to control seizues
Calcium Channel Blockers
This class of drugs blocks calcium from entering the cells of the blood vessels to keep them from gaining rigidity
HDL
The “good cholesterol” that picks up floating low-density lipoprotein (the “bad cholesterol) and sweeps them away through the bloodstream
SSRIs
An antidepressant drug that blocks the reabsorption of serotonin, with little effect on norepinephrine and fewer side effects than other antidepressant drugs
steroids
Complex synthetic drug substances that resemble human hormones
Anti-diabetic drugs
A class of drugs that supply insulin to lower sugar or stimulate the pancreas to produce more insulin. The sulfonylureas class of drugs are the most common ones.
depression
A condition characterized by anxiety, hopelessness, irritability, intense sadness, loss of concentration, pessimism, and problems with eating and sleeping
Hypothyroidism
an underactive thyroid, producing too little thyroid hormone
PPI
A drug information sheet of pamphlet inserted by the drug manufacturer with the drug stock, required by law for certain drug products
NSAID
A class of drugs that provide pain, swelling, and fever reduction
Anti-inflammatory drugs
A drug that removes swelling from skin and internal organs
muscle relaxants
Drugs that reduce or prevent skeletal muscle concentration and pain
lipids
Fatty molecule that is important constituent of cell membranes; includes natural oils, waxes, and steroids
Toxicology
Adverse effects of drugs, their dangerous side effects and interactions
Cephalosporin antibiotics
Antibiotic drugs developed to act like penicillin against bacteria
ADHD
A disorder that manifests itself in difficulty focusing or concentrating , over-activity, and difficulty with impulse control
analgesia
Substance used to relieve pain
Pharmacodynamics
The actions of a drug and how it works to exert its therapeutic effect
Serotonin
A neurotransmitter that affects mood, sexual desire, appetite, sleep, and memory, among other things
atypical antipsychotics drugs
First-line therapy for schizophrenia and other psychoses that address specific neurotransmitters