Key terms
the biochemically active component of a drug that exerts a desired therapeutic effect.
Active ingredient
a substance that kills or inhibits the growth of microorganisms on the outside of the body to reduce the possibility of infection or contamination.
Antiseptic
drugs used to prevent disease, such as aspirin to prevent heart attacks.
Prophylactic agents
drugs that kill bacteria.
Bactericidal agents
a drug that contains both natural and synthetic components.
Semisynthetic drug
an unexpected or negative consequence from taking a particular drug.
ADR (Adverse Drug Reaction)
the manipulation of sterile products and devices to avoid contamination by disease-causing organisms; includes clean room protocols and hand-washing and gowning procedures.
Aseptic technique
Psychopharmaceutical drug
drugs used to treat mental health diseases, such as depression.
bodily processes to provide protection against disease.
Immunity
drugs used to treat mental health diseases, such as depression.
Psychopharmaceutical drug
the part of the immune system that neutralizes antigens or foreign substances in the body.
Antibodies
the time it takes for a generic drug to reach the bloodstream after administration.
Bioavailability
a unique number assigned to any brand or generic drug products to identify the manufacturer, drug, and package size.
NDC (National Drug Code) number
a substance used to stimulate the production of antibodies and provide immunity.
Vaccine
drugs used to prevent disease, such as aspirin to prevent heart attacks.
Prophylactic agents
a foreign substance or toxin introduced into the body that stimulates an immune response.
Antigen
a medicinal substance or remedy used to change the way a living organism functions; also called a medication.
Drug
a document that explains, in easily understandable terms, the purpose and risks of the research that someone volunteers to take part in.
Informed consent form
a drug that prevents, cures, diagnoses, or relieves symptoms of a disease.
Therapeutic agent
a drug substance that alters body functions in a desired way.
Pharmacodynamic agent
cancer-fighting drugs.
Antineoplastic drugs
a drug that delivers approximately the same amount of active ingredient into a healthy volunteer’s bloodstream in the same amount of time as the innovator or brand-name drug.
Bioequivalent
an inactive chemical—such as a filler, preservative, coloring, or flavoring—added to improve drug formulations while causing little or no physiological effect.
Inert ingredient
a drug created artificially in the laboratory but in imitation of a naturally occurring drug.
Synthesized drug
a field of study that examines the relationship between an individual’s genes and their body’s response to drugs.
Pharmacogenomics