Definition
Antibiotics
a chemical substance with the ability to kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria by interacting with bacteria cell process
Calcium Channel Blockers
This class of drugs blocks calcium from entering the cells of the blood vessels to keep them from gaining rigidity
analgesia
substance used to relieve pain
Pharmacodynamics
the actions of a drug and how it works to exert its therapeutic effect
SSRIs
an antidepressant drug that blocks the reabsorption of serotonin, with less effect on norepinephrine and fewer side effects than other antidepressant drugs
Anti-diabetic drugs
a class of drugs that supply insulin to lower sugar or stimulate the pancreas to producing more insulin. The sulfonylureas class of drugs are the most common ones.
Corticosteroids
steroid hormone produced by the adrenal cortex often used to reduce inflammation and pain
GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease)
a GI disease characterized by radiating burning or pain in the chest and an acid taste caused by backflow of acidic stomach contents
Pharmacokinetics
Individualized doses of drugs based on absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination of drugs from the body
Serotonin
a neurotransmitter that affects mood, sexual desire, appetite, sleep, and memory, among other things
Antihistamines
common term for drugs that block the H1 receptors; drugs used to treat and lessen the symptoms of allergies
Depression
a condition characterized by anxiety, hopelessness, irritability, intense sadness, loss of concentration, pessimism, and problems with eating and sleeping
HDL (High Density Lipoprotein)
(the “good cholesterol”) that picks up floating low-density lipoproteins (the “bad cholesterol”) and sweeps them away through the bloodstream
Pharmacology
the science of drugs and their interactions with the systems of living animals
Toxicology
adverse effects of drugs, their dangerous side effects and interactions
Anti-inflammatory drugs
a drug that removes swelling from skin and internal organs
Narcotic
class of drugs that mute or blunt the senses, induces sleep, or has other psychoactive properties, including the opium-based and opsum-like drugs
Hyperthyroidism
a condition caused by excessive thyroid hormones and markedly increased metabolic rate; also called thyrotoxicosis
Progesterone
a hormone that preserves the uterine lining for the implantation and development of the fertilized ovum
triglycerides
three lipids combined, a natural fat stored in animal adipose tissue that releases free fatty acids into the blood
Benzodiazepines
a class of drugs that acts as sedative, hypnotic, anti-anxiety medication, and anticonvulsant. Many of these drugs share the suffix -pam.
NSAID
a class of drugs that provide pain, swelling, and fever reduction
Lipids
fatty substance that is an important constituent of cell membranes; includes natural oils, waxes, and steroids
PPI
a class of drugs that work to stop stomach acid production by blocking gastric acid secretion by inhibiting the enzyme that pumps hydrogen ions into the stomach
Steroids
complex synthetic drug substances that resemble human hormones