Key Terms
Active Ingredient
The biochemically active component of the drug that exerts a desired therapuetic effect.
Antiseptic
A substance that kills or inhibits the groeth of microorganisms on the outside of the body to reduce the possiblity of infection, sepsis, or putrefaction.
Destructive Agents
A drug that kills bacteria, fungi, viruses, or even normal or cancer cells.
Pharmacogenomics
A field of study that examines the relationship between an individual’s genes and her or his body’s response to drugs.
What is SSRI?
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor
ADR (Adverse Drug Reaction)
An unexpected negative consequence of taking a particular drug.
Antiviral Drugs
A drug that kills viruses, such as HIV.
Bioequivalent
A drug that delivers approximately the same amount of active ingredients into a healthy volunteer’s bloodstream in the same amount of time as the innovator or brand-name drug.
Prophylactic Agents
A drug used to prevent disease, such as aspirin to prevent heart attacks.
What is sl?
Sublingually
Antibiotics
The part of the immune system that neutralizes antigens or foreign substances in the body.
Aseptic Technique
The manipulation of sterile products and devices to avoid contamination by disease-causing organisms includes cleanroom protocols, hand-washing, and growing procedures.
Inert Ingredients
An inactive chemical-such as a filler, preservative, coloring, or flavoring- that is added to one or more active ingredients to improve drug formulations while causing little or no physiological effect; also called an inactive ingredient.
Psychopharmaceutical Drugs
Used to treat mental health disease, such as depression.
What is sc?
subcutaneous
Antigen
A foreign substance or toxin that stimulates an immune system is introduced into the body.
Bactericidal Drugs
A drug that kills bacteria.
NDC (National Drug Code [number])
A unique number is assigned to any brand name or generic drug product to identify the manufacturer, drug, and packaging size.
Semisynthetic Drug
A drug that contains both natural and synthetic components.
What is qs?
A sufficient quantity
Antineoplastic Drugs
A cancer-fighting drug.
Bioavailability
The time it takes for a generic drug to reach the bloodstream after administration.
Pharmacodynamics Agent
A drug substance that alters body functions in a desired way.
Synthetic Drug
A drug that has been created from a series of chemical reactions to produce a specific pharmacological effect.
What is qhs?
Every day at bedtime