Term
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Definition
| Category of drugs that takes the place of substance normally produced by the body (examples: hormone, neurotransmitter, etc.) or stimulates a specific receptor on the cell membrane normally activated by that substance, "unlocks" the receptor (lock), and activates a response. The response is like that of the substance that normally activates that receptor; (lock). |
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Definition
| Category of drugs that binds to specific receptors on the cell membrane and block the substance in the body that normally activates that receptor (lock). Antagonist drugs (key) can also block another drug from activating that receptor. Antagonist drugs have a drug effect that's opposite that of agonist drugs. |
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Definition
| Activated by the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and epinephrine from the sympathetic division of the nervous system (include alpha and beta receptors); they are also activated by certain drugs. |
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Definition
| Activated by the neurotransmitter acetylcholine from the parasympathetic division of the nervous system; they are also activated by certain drugs. There are 2 types, muscarinic receptors (located in skeletal muscle, the heart, and glands) and nicotinic receptors (in ganglia in the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions of the autonomic nervous system). |
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Definition
| Category of drugs that blocks the action of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine at the site of cholinergic receptors. Anticholinergic drugs have the opposite effect of cholinergic drugs. They also exert a predictable set of side effects known as anticholinergic side effects. |
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Term
| anticholinergic side effects |
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Definition
| A predictable set of side effects of anticholinergic drugs. The ABCDs of anticholinergic side effects: A, anticholinergic; B, blurred vision, bladder retention; C, constipation; and D, dry mouth. |
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Definition
| Activated by histamine; there are 2 types: H1 and H2 receptors. H1 receptors are activated by histamine that is released by basophils in the blood and by mast calls in the tissues during an allergic reaction. Drugs that block H1 receptors are known as antihistamine drugs. H2 receptors located on parietal cells in the stomach are activated by histamine and this causes them to produce hydrochloric acid. Drugs that block H2 receptors to decrease stomach acid are known as H2 blockers. |
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Term
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Definition
| The effect of a drug that is limited to the site of administration and to those tissues immediately surrounding the site. Most drugs applied topically exert a local effect. |
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Term
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Definition
| Drug effect that felt throughout the body. Drugs taken orally usually exert a systemic effect. |
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Term
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Definition
| Drug action that is intended action to prevent, control, improve, or cure symptoms or diseases of a physiological or psychological nature. The main effect for which the drug is prescribed. |
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Definition
| The specific organ that the therapeutic effect of a drug is directed toward. With antibiotic drugs, the target organ is not an organ but a disease-causing organism. |
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Term
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Definition
| A drug effect other than the intended therapeutic effect. Side effects are expected and are seen in a high percentage of patients. They can be mild and temporary, moderate and annoying, or sever enough that the drug must be discontinued. |
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Term
| adverse drug effect (also adverse drug reaction-ADR) |
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Definition
| A drug effect that is a severe and dangerous side effect. Adverse effects are not as common as side effect, and so some adverse effects of a drug become apparent only after the drug has been taken by a large number of patients over time. |
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Term
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Definition
| Warning information about a serious adverse effect associated with a particular prescription drug. The FDA requires that this be included on the package insert with the drug and in drug advertising. The warning is boxed by a thick black line. |
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Term
| anaphylaxis or anaphylactic shock |
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Definition
| The most sever form of an allergic reaction. The release of massive amounts of histamine causes bronchospasm, shock, and even death. |
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Term
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Definition
| Type of drug reaction that is not a side effect, adverse reaction, or allergic reaction. It's an individual's unique reaction to a drug, based on the person's genetic makeup. |
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Term
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Definition
| Situation in which the physician prescribes more prescription drugs for a patient than are needed, or the patient is taking many different prescription and over-the-counter drugs at the same time without the knowledge of the physician. This increases the likelihood of a drug-drug interaction. |
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Term
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Definition
| Condition in which the patient is unwilling or unable to comply with taking a drug in accordance with the prescribe dose or frequency. |
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Definition
| Condition in which two drugs taken together combine to produce an effect of each drug. Synergism can be either beneficial or detrimental. |
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Term
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Definition
| Condition in which two drugs taken together combine to produce an effect that is less than the intended effect for either drug. |
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Term
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Definition
| A small ceramic or stone bowl (mortar) and a rod with a rounded end (pestle) used to grind herbs for a drug, They are used today to grind a solid form of a drug into a powder. |
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Term
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Definition
| System of measuring weights (pounds, ounces) that is used in the US. It's not used for drug doses, most are measured in the metric system. |
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Term
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Definition
| The predominant system of measuring drug doses that's used in the United States and internationally. Weight is measured in kilograms, grams, and micrograms. Volume is measured in liters and milliliters. Length is measured in meters, centimeters, and millimeters. Officially known the International System of Units. |
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Definition
| Measurement used to measure a few drugs, such as vitamins and hormones. The exact amount of an International Unit varies from drug to drug. |
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Definition
| Unit of measurement used to measure doses of insulin and some other drugs, such as penicillins and some vitamins. IUs are units that are standardized by the World Health Organization to measure some vitamin, hormone, and vaccine doses. |
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Definition
| Only one commonly prescribed drug is measured this form (on a paper patch printed with a ruler): nitroglycerin ointment (Nitro-Bid), a drug used to treat cardiac arrest. |
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Term
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Definition
| The Latin word is guttae and the abbreviation is gtt. Eye and ear liquid drugs are prescribed this way. |
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Term
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Definition
| The molecular weight of an ion divided by the number of hydrogen ions its reacts with. Its abbreviation is mEq. Doses of electrolyte drugs such as potassium are measured this way. |
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Term
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Definition
| Measurement in which one part (that consists of the drug) is considered in relationship to the whole (the substance in which the drug is dissolved or mixed), based on a total of 100. |
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Term
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Definition
| Measurement in which one part (that consists of the drug) is considered in relationship to another part (another substance together in a same solution). Expressed as 2 numbers with a colon mark between them. |
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Term
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Definition
| An unofficial system of measurement used by people in their homes (examples: silverware teaspoons and tablespoons). |
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Term
| Seven Rights of Drug Administration |
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Definition
1. the right drug
2. the right drug form
3. the right drug dose
4. the right route of administration
5. the right time
6. the right patient
7. the right documentation |
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Term
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Definition
| Method of drug therapy that attempts to coordinate the administration and metabolism of a drug to the body's own biological rhythms. |
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