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Some Basic Definitions

Terminology ( letter. A - B - C)
Absorption Rate - The amount of time it takes after a drug is administered for it to enter
the bloodstream.

Acute - Usually refers to a condition that has a fast onset time, severe effect, and short
course of duration.

Admixture - Two or more drugs blended or mixed together to create a desired

substance or solution.

Adverse Reaction - When the body has an undesired or negative response to a

medication or drug-drug interaction.

Agonist - A drug that triggers a receptor to produce a physiologic response. An easy

way to remember the difference is: Agonists try to make things happen, Antagonists try
to stop things from happening.

Allegation - An unofficial Math maneuver that can be used to determine ratios for
compounding.

Allergic Reaction - A response from the immune system to a substance which a patient
has an allergy to.

Allergy - When the body is highly sensitive to (an otherwise harmless) substance.

Allergies are unwanted effects that occur because an organ system is hypersensitive to
a drug.

Amphetamine - Central nervous system stimulant prescribed for the treatment of :

ADHD, Narcolepsy, Obesity and other conditions. Also known as "Speed",
Amphetamines are highly addictive and DEA controlled.

Ampoule - A (small) sealed glass vial that is to be 'broken' open and normally contains
injection solution.

Analgesic - Often referred to as "pain relievers", Analgesics are drug used to reduce or
suppress pain. (ex. Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Oxycodone, etc.)

Anaphylactic Shock - The body's reaction to Anaphylaxis caused by your immune

system.
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Anaphylaxis - An extreme reaction to something you're severely allergic to, such as a

peanuts, shell-fish or a bee sting which requires emergency medical attention and may
be life threatening.

Anesthetic - Drugs that create insensitivity to pain by blocking nerve transmission to the
brain.

Antagonist - Drugs designed to block a receptor-mediated effect created by

neurotransmitters. An easy way to remember the difference is: Agonists try to make
things happen, Antagonists try to stop things from happening.

Anticoagulant - A drug that is used to decrease or prevent the formation of blood clots.

Anticonvulsant - These are drugs used to help prevent seizures or to lessen the severity
of a seizure.

Antiemetic - Drugs used to prevent, alleviate or suppress nausea and vomiting.

Antihistamine -Drugs used to counteract the immune systems histamine reaction to

allergy or respiratory illness.

Anti-neoplastic - Drugs prescribed to slow the growth of malignant tumors.

Anti-pyretic - Drugs used to prevent or reduce fever (abnormally high body

temperature).

Anti-spasmotic - Drugs used to relieve or prevent muscle spasms.

Anti-tussive - Drugs used to suppress or relieve coughing.

Apothecary - Another word for pharmacist. However, it also refers to a system of

weights and measures.

Aqueous -Refers to when something is, or to be water based.

Aseptic Technique- A sanitation practice performed with a goal of minimizing

contamination by pathogens.

Auxiliary Label - Additional labels placed on prescription packaging that provide

supplementary information, various warnings, routes of administrations, etc.
AWP (Average Wholesale Price) - Found in the Redbook.
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B
Bactericidal - Drugs that destroy / kill bacteria.

Bacteriostatic - Drugs that slow down or inhibit the duplication (growth) of bacteria.

Bio-Availability - The rate which a drug is made available to the target site of
physiological activity

Bio-Equivalence - When a drug has the same biological effect / efficacy / bioavailability
as a similar drug with a different formulation.

Bioequivalent- describes pharmaceutically equivalent products that display comparable

bioavailability when studied under similar experimental conditions

Bronchodilator - A drug that widens passages in the lungs to ease breathing.

Buccal - Tablet held between the cheek and gum which dissolves, thereby permitting
quicker absorption

C
CC - Abbreviation for cubic centimeter = Same as 1 mL (Milliliter)

Celsius - It's basically the same as Centigrade. (see below)

Centigrade - Standard measure of temperature in Science / Metric system. Water

freezes at 0 and boils at 100.

Chronic -Refers to an illness that persists for a long period of time or frequent re-
occurrence.

Communicable -Refers to illness / disease that is contagious or transmittable to others.

Compound - A final substance (or solution) made from two or more substances.

Controlled Release (CR) -Refers to drugs formulations designed to release gradually

over a specific time.

Controlled release means that the drug will be released under zero order kinetics so
10mg per unit time100mg -->90mg -->80 mg --> 70 mg ..

Controlled Substance - In the U.S., it refers to drugs that are regulated by the Drug
Enforcement Agency.
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TERMINOLOGY ( letter D - E - F - G - H )
Dehydration - When the body loses water and electrolytes essential for bodily function.

Denominator - Number below the line in a fraction that indicates the number which one
whole is divided.

Diluent - A liquid that decreases the concentration of a solution by diluting it, or turns
powder into a liquid.

Diuretic - Drugs that increase the body's urine discharge flow, thereby decreasing
overall fluid accumulation.

Displacement - When fluid volume appears greater because a non-fluid substance is

placed into it.

Dopamine - A neurotransmitter essential to the normal functioning of the central

nervous system

Dram (Fluid) - is equal to 1/8 of an oz. So, 8 Drams = 1oz. And, 1 Fluid Dram is roughly
equal to 3.7mL.

Drop Factor - In IV administration, Drop factor usually refers to how many drops make
up 1 mL. (gtts/mL)

Drug-related problems- include medication errors (involving an error in the process of

prescribing, dispensing, or administering a drug, whether there are adverse
consequences or not) and adverse drug reactions (any response to a drug which is
noxious and unintended, and which occurs at doses normally used in humans for
prophylaxis, diagnosis or therapy of disease, or for the modification of physiological
function)

E
Effervescent Tablet - These emit bubbles when put into water, and rapidly dissolve
usually leaving a froth

Electrolytes - Are fluids containing sodium and potassium salts designed to maintain or
replenish proper balance of a patient's electrolyte levels. They are commonly used after
dehydration of along with diuretics.

Elimination - Another word for Excretion, which is when the body removes non-usable
waste. In pharmacokinetics, this is the last step.
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Elixir - A hydro-alcoholic solution that is taken orally and contains one or more active
drugs.

Emulsion -A mixture of two or more fluids that normally won't blend. They are either
OIL/Water or Water/OIL.

Enema - As a dosage form: An injection of fluid into the rectum containing suspended
drug particles.

Enteric Coated - An additional coating on a tablet to control where in the digestive

system a drug will dissolve and be absorbed.

Epidemiology The branch of medicine that deals with the study of the causes,
distribution, and control of disease in populations.

Essential medicines are those that satisfy the priority health care needs of the
population

Expectorant - Drugs that work in the respiratory system to clear out mucus and phlegm.

Extemporaneous Compounding - Following a set / written recipe to compound

prescription drugs.

F
Fahrenheit - Standard temperature measurement scale in the U.S. - Water freezes at 32
and boils at 220.

Flow Rate - In IV math, it's the amount of drops that are needed per minute. (gtt/min)

Formulary - List of drugs to be regularly stocked in a pharmacy. The formulary is

carefully chosen in order to offer a wide enough range to accommodate medical
therapies, but not wasteful.

9) Formulary-A continually revised compilation of pharmaceuticals and important

ancillary information that reflect the current clinical judgment of the medical staff.
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G
Gastrointestinal - Anything relating to the stomach and large intestines.

Generic Drug - A medication not protected by patent, distributed and marketed under it's
pharmaceutical / chemical name, usually by multiple manufacturers at a lower end-user
cost.

Grain - Unit of dry measure. There are 437.5 Grains / Ounce and 15.43 grains per
gram.

Gram - Unit of dry measure. 15.43 grains make up 1 gram. A gram is also 1/1000 of a
Kg.

H
Half-Life - The amount of time it takes for half of the drug to be eliminated from the
body.

HEPA - Acronym for: High Efficiency Particulate Air. It is a type of highly effective air
filter.

Hypnotic Drug - These slow the central nervous system to reduces anxiety and induce
sleep

TERMINOLOGY ( letter i - K - L - M - N - O )
Infusion rate - Fluid volume of an IV necessary to deliver enough drug within the time-
frame the prescriber sets.

Intracardiac -Refers to an injection administered directly into the patients heart.

Intradermal -An injection into the top layer of skin, done at an angle.

Inventory - A comprehensive list of the assets / items currently and physically in stock.

Isotonic - Refers to a solution with the same tonicity (Saline) as human blood.
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K
Kilo - In the metric system it means *1000. Most often used as slang to mean Kilogram
(1000 Grams)

L
Laxative - A Substance that promotes bowel movement, normally prescribed for mild
constipation.

Legend Drug - Means the same as prescription drug; Must have a valid prescription to
be dispensed.

Liter - Fluid measurement in the metric system. 1 Liter = 1000 mL - and - 1 Liter = 33.81
Ounces

Lozenge - Known better as a cough drop; picked up the name Lozenge because of its
(sometimes) diamond shape. It's designed to dissolve in the mouth to sooth and
lubricate the throat.

M
Markup Percentage - Usually refers to the price a retailer charges above their wholesale
cost as a profit.

Medication error is “any error occurring in the medication use process.”

Medication errors, broadly defined as any error in the prescribing, dispensing, or

administration of a drug, irrespective of whether such errors lead to adverse
consequences or not, are the single most preventable cause of patient harm.

Meniscus - The curved surface on the top of fluid in a glass container.

Micro - In the metric system it means 1/million. (ex.: Microgram = 1/1,000,000 of a

Gram)

Milli - In the metric system it means 1/1000. (ex.: Milliliter = 1/1000 of a Liter)

Misbranded - When a product is labeled or marketed falsely or in a misleading manner.

MOA - (Mechanism of Action) The method in which a drug produces an effect on the
condition it's intended to treat.
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Motion sickness Nausea and dizziness induced by motion, as in travel by aircraft, car,
or ship

N
Narcotics - Drugs that induce various stages of narcosis to dull the senses, typically
used to treat pain.

Net Profit - A measure of profitability after all business related expenses have been
accounted for.

NS - (normal Saline) Isotonic solution of 0.9% concentration of sodium chloride in sterile

water.

Numerator - The top number in a math fraction, which will be divided by the
denominator (bottom number).

O
Ointment - A preparation of medication disbursed in a thick fluid, typically used to treat
skin disorders.

Opthalmic -Refers to the eye. For treatment of, around or in the patient's eye.

Opiate - Drugs that are derived from opium, typically used for pain management.

Opioid - Synthetic drugs that have the narcotic effects of opium, typically used for pain
management.

Orange Book - Published by the FDA, the "Approved Drug Products With Therapeutic
Equivalence Evaluations" is available as a resource to help healthcare professionals in
choosing drugs for generic substitution.

OTC Drugs - Medications sold "Over The Counter", which can be obtained without
prescription.

Otic - Refers to the ear. For treatment of, around or in the patient's ear.
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TERMINOLOGY. ( Letter. P - Q - R - S - T - V )

Parenteral -Refers to drug administration that is delivered directly, and not through the
intestinal tract. Mainly used to classify injection routes of administration.

Patient compliance-The degree or extent to which a patient follows or completes a

prescribed diagnostic, treatment, or preventive procedure.

Pharmacokinetics - What the body does with a drug from when it's administered to the
time it's eliminated.

Pharmacology - A vague term which refers to the science and study of drugs, including
the chemistry and biological effects.

pH Level - A measure of the alkalinity or acidity of a solution. The pH scale ranges from
0-14 and 7 is neutral.

Pint - Fluid measurement 1 Pint = 16 Ounces

Placebo - Commonly referred to as a 'sugar pill'. A placebo contains no medicine.

However, the patient supposes it does, and results may occur because of this belief.
Placebos are mostly used in clinical trials to experiment with groups of people in double-
blind studies.

Psychotropic - Refers to drugs that have a psychological effect and result in altering a
patient's mind, mood or behavior.

Pharmacist person qualified to prepare and dispense drugs

Pharmacogenetics-The study of the genetic factors that influence an individual's

reaction to a drug.

Pharmaco economics refers to the scientific discipline that compares the value of one
pharmaceutical drug or drug therapy to another. It is a sub-discipline of Health
economics. A pharmaco economic study evaluates the cost (expressed in monetary
terms) and effects (expressed in terms of monetary value, efficacy or enhanced quality
of life) of a pharmaceutical product.

Pharmacodynamics-That branch of pharmacology which treats of the action and the

effects of medicines in the body, and also their distribution in various bodily tissues over
time, and their breakdown and excretion

Pharmaco kinetics-the branch of pharmacology concerned with the way drugs are
taken into, move around, and are eliminated from, the body
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Pharmacognosy the branch of pharmacology concerned with crude drugs of plant and
animal origin

Pro drug A compound that, on administration, must undergo chemical conversion by

metabolic processes before becoming he pharmacologically active
drug for which it is a pro drug.

Pharmaceutical care is the responsible provision of drug therapy for the purpose of
achieving definite outcomes that improve a patient's quality of life

Pharmacovigilance (PV)-is defined as the science and activities relating to the

detection, assessment, understanding and prevention of adverse effects or any other
drug-related problem.

Pharmaceutics-The science of preparing and dispensing drugs.

Pharma-co-epidemiology is the study of the use and effects of drugs on large groups of
people.

Q
Quart - Fluid measurement which really just means a quarter of a gallon. 1 Quart = 1/4
Gallon

R
Ratio - Math term used to show the relative difference between two quantities.

Rational use of medicines requires that "patients receive medications appropriate to

their clinical needs, in doses that meet their own individual requirements, for an
adequate period of time, and at the lowest cost to them and their community".

Reconstitute - Refers to when drugs in powder form need to be mixed with a fluid before
they are administered

Red Book - Pharmaceutical reference tool used to determine Average Wholesale Price
(AWP), suggested retail price and other standardized drug pricing data mainly for 3rd
party insurance billing purposes.

Route of Administration - The prescribed path a drug is to be taken into the body.

Rx - An internationally recognized symbol or abbreviation for "Prescription".

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Parenteral -Refers to drug administration that is delivered directly, and not through the
intestinal tract. Mainly used to classify injection routes of administration.

S
Sedative - Refers to drugs that work on the central nervous system to help calm anxiety,
stress, etc..

Sig Code - Medical abbreviations and acronyms used in healthcare to communicate

directions.

Solute -In a Solution, the Solute is the substance dissolved into the solvent.

Solvent - In a Solution, the Solvent is the

Subcutaneous - Refers to an IV injection placed into the skin's subcutaneous layer (3rd
down).

Sublingual - (Under your tongue) Refers to placing a tablet under your tongue to
dissolve.

Suppository - A drug dosage form that is to be inserted into a body cavity, where it will
dissolve and be absorbed.

Suspension - A liquid solution containing tiny un dissolved drug particles 'suspended' in

it.

Symptom - Refers to a sign or characteristic that may serve as a clue to determine an

illness or disease.

Sustained released means that the drug will be released under first order kinetics.
Therefore if a drug starts out at 100 mg and releases at a rate of 10% per unit
time.100mg --> 90mg --> 81mg -->72.9 mg ..

T
Tincture - Refers to a drug dissolved in an alcohol solution to make an oral preparation.

TPN Solution - Total Parenteral Nutrition provides nourishment to patients intravenously

when their digestive tract needs to be bypassed.
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Transdermal - When a drug is administered through the skin, usually with a patch or
ointment.

Trituration - When a solid substance is ground into fine particles for compounding
purposes.

V
Vaporizer - A medical device used for converting a medicated liquid into vapor for
inhalation.

Vasodilator - Refers to drugs that widen blood vessels, allowing for blood to flow more
freely through arteries. And, that lowers blood pressure and allows your heart to not
work so hard.

Vial - A small glass or plastic container with a closure used to contain and store
chemicals.

Regards
[Link] Arain
Pharm-D
The University of Faisalabad; Madina University Pakistan