Many of the following medical terms are found in the drug charts. Where drug names are listed, they indicate the generic or drug class and not the brand names.
A
ACE Inhibitors—See Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors.
Acne Preparations—Creams, lotions and liquids applied to the skin to treat acne. These include adapalene; alcohol and acetone; alcohol and sulfur; azelaic acid; benzoyl peroxide; clindamycin; erythromycin; erythromycin and benzoyl peroxide; isotretinoin; meclocycline; resorcinol; resorcinol and sulfur; salicylic acid gel USP; salicylic acid lotion; salicylic acid ointment; salicylic acid pads; salicylic acid soap; salicylic acid and sulfur bar soap; salicylic acid and sulfur cleansing lotion; salicylic acid and sulfur cleansing suspension; salicylic acid and sulfur lotion; sulfurated lime; sulfur bar soap; sulfur cream; sulfur lotion; tetracycline, oral; tetracycline hydrochloride for topical solution; tretinoin.
Acridine Derivatives—Dyes or stains (often yellow or orange) used for some medical tests and as antiseptic agents.
Active Ingredient—An active ingredient is any component that provides pharmacological activity or other direct effect in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease, or to affect the structure or any function of the body of man or animals.
Acute—Having a short and relatively severe course.
Addiction—Psychological or physiological dependence upon a drug.
Addictive Drugs—Any drug that can lead to physiological dependence on the drug. These include alcohol, cocaine, marijuana, nicotine, opium, morphine, codeine, heroin (and other narcotics) and others.
Addison’s Disease—Changes in the body caused by a deficiency of hormones manufactured by the adrenal gland. Usually fatal if untreated.
Adrenal Cortex—Center of the adrenal gland.
Adrenal Gland—Gland next to the kidney that produces cortisone and epinephrine (adrenalin).
Agonist—A drug that mimics naturally occurring chemicals that stimulate action in the brain and central nervous system. Examples of agonists include opiates and nicotine.
Agranulocytosis—A symptom complex characterized by (1) a sharply decreased number of granulocytes (one of the types of white blood cells), (2) lesions of the throat and other mucous membranes, (3) lesions of the gastrointestinal tract and (4) lesions of the skin. Sometimes also called granulocytopenia.
Alcoholism—A clinical syndrome that involves heavy alcohol consumption and continued drinking despite severe negative social and physical consequences.
Alkalizers—These drugs neutralize acidic properties of the blood and urine by making them more alkaline (or basic). Systemic alkalizers include potassium citrate and citric acid, sodium bicarbonate, sodium citrate and citric acid, and tricitrates. Urinary alkalizers include potassium citrate, potassium citrate and citric acid, potassium citrate and sodium citrate, sodium citrate and citric acid.
Alkylating Agent—Chemical used to treat malignant diseases.
Allergy—Excessive sensitivity to a substance that is ordinarily harmless. Reactions include sneezing, stuffy nose, hives, itching.
Alpha-Adrenergic Blocking Agents—A group of drugs used to treat hypertension. These drugs include alfuzosin, prazosin, terazosin, doxazosin and labetalol (an alpha-adrenergic and beta-adrenergic combination drug). Also included are other drugs that produce an alpha-adrenergic blocking action such as haloperidol, loxapine, phenothiazines, thioxanthenes.
Amebiasis—Infection with amoebas, one-celled organisms. Causes diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps.
Amenorrhea—Abnormal absence of menstrual periods.
Aminoglycosides—A family of antibiotics used for serious infections. Their usefulness is limited because of their relative toxicity compared to some other antibiotics. These drugs include amikacin, gentamicin, kanamycin, neomycin, netilmicin, streptomycin, tobramycin.
Amphetamines—A family of drugs that stimulates the central nervous system, prescribed to treat attention-deficit disorders in children and also for narcolepsy. They are habit-forming, are controlled under U.S. law and are no longer prescribed as appetite suppressants. These drugs include amphetamine, dextroamphetamine, lisdexamfetamine, methamphetamine. They may be ingredients of several combination drugs.
ANA Titers—A test to evaluate the immune system and to detect antinuclear antibodies (ANAs), substances that appear in the blood of some patients with autoimmune disease.
Analgesics—Agents that reduce pain without reducing consciousness.
Anaphylaxis—Severe allergic response to a substance. Symptoms are wheezing, itching, hives, nasal congestion, intense burning of hands and feet, collapse, loss of consciousness and cardiac arrest. Symptoms appear within a few seconds or minutes after exposure. Anaphylaxis is a severe medical emergency. Without appropriate treatment, it can cause death. Instructions for home treatment for anaphylaxis are at the end of the book.
Androgens—Male hormones, including fluoxymesterone, methyltestosterone, testosterone, DHEA.
Anemia—Not enough healthy red blood cells in the bloodstream or too little hemoglobin in the red blood cells. Anemia is caused by an imbalance between blood loss and blood production.
Anemia, Aplastic—A form of anemia in which the bone marrow is unable to manufacture adequate numbers of blood cells of all types—red cells, white cells, and platelets.
Anemia, Hemolytic—Anemia caused by a shortened lifespan of red blood cells. The body can’t manufacture new cells fast enough to replace old cells.
Anemia, Iron-Deficiency—Anemia caused when iron necessary to manufacture red blood cells is not available.
Anemia, Pernicious—Anemia caused by a vitamin B-12 deficiency. Symptoms include weakness, fatigue, numbness and tingling of the hands or feet and degeneration of the central nervous system.
Anemia, Sickle-Cell—Anemia caused by defective hemoglobin that deprives red blood cells of oxygen, making them sickle-shaped.
Anesthesias, General—Gases that are used in surgery to render patients unconscious and able to withstand the pain of surgical cutting and manipulation. They include alfentanil, amobarbital, butabarbital, butorphanol, chloral hydrate, enflurane, etomidate, fentanyl, halothane, hydroxyzine, isoflurane, ketamine, levorphanol, meperidine, methohexital, methoxyflurane, midazolam, morphine parenteral, nalbuphine, nitrous oxide, oxymorphone, pentazocine, pentobarbital, phenobarbital, promethazine, propiomazine, propofol, scopolamine, secobarbital, sufentanil, thiamylal, thiopental.
Anesthetics—Drugs that eliminate the sensation of pain.
Angina (Angina Pectoris)—Chest pain with a sensation of suffocation and impending death. Caused by a temporary reduction in the amount of oxygen to the heart muscle through diseased coronary arteries. The pain may also occur in the left shoulder, jaw or arm.
Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors—A family of drugs used to treat hypertension and congestive heart failure. Inhibitors decrease the rate of conversion of angiotensin I into angiotensin II, which is the normal process for the angiotensin-converting enzyme. These drugs include benazepril, captopril, enalapril, fosinopril, lisinopril, moexipril, perindopril, quinapril, ramipril, trandolapril.
Antacids—A large family of drugs prescribed to treat hyperacidity, peptic ulcer, esophageal reflux and other conditions. These drugs include alumina and magnesia; alumina, magnesia and calcium carbonate; alumina, magnesia and simethicone; alumina and magnesium carbonate; alumina and magnesium trisilicate; alumina, magnesium trisilicate and sodium bicarbonate; aluminum carbonate; aluminum hydroxide; bismuth subsalicylate; calcium carbonate; calcium carbonate and magnesia; calcium carbonate, magnesia and simethicone; calcium and magnesium carbonates; calcium and magnesium carbonates and magnesium oxide; calcium carbonate and simethicone; dihydroxyaluminum aminoacetate; dihydroxyaluminum sodium carbonate; magaldrate; magaldrate and simethicone; magnesium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate; magnesium hydroxide; magnesium oxide; magnesium trisilicate, alumina and magnesia; simethicone, alumina, calcium carbonate and magnesia; simethicone, alumina, magnesium carbonate and magnesia; sodium bicarbonate.
Antacids, Calcium Carbonate—These antacids include calcium carbonate and magnesium, calcium carbonate and simethicone, calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonates.
Antacids, Magnesium-Containing—These antacids include magnesium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide, magnesium oxide and magnesium trisilicate. All these medicines are designed to treat excess stomach acidity. In addition to being an effective antacid, magnesium can sometimes cause unpleasant side effects and drug interactions. Look for the presence of magnesium in nonprescription drugs.
Antagonist—A substance that blocks the effects of another drug by binding with the receptor site for that drug in the brain.
Anthelmintics—A family of drugs used to treat intestinal parasites. Names of these drugs include niclosamide, piperazine, pyrantel, pyrvinium, quinacrine, mebendazole, metronidazole, oxamniquine, praziquantel, thiabendazole.
Antiacne Topical Preparations—See Acne Preparations.
Antiadrenals—Medicines or drugs that prevent the effects of the hormones produced by the adrenal glands.
Antianginals—A group of drugs used to treat angina pectoris (chest pain that comes and goes, caused by coronary artery disease). These drugs include acebutolol, amlodipine, amyl nitrite, atenolol, bepridil, carteolol, diltiazem, felodipine, isosorbide dinitrate, labetalol, metoprolol, nadolol, nicardipine, nifedipine, nitroglycerin, oxprenolol, penbutolol, pindolol, propranolol, sotalol, timolol, verapamil.
Antianxiety Drugs—A group of drugs prescribed to treat anxiety. These drugs include alprazolam, bromazepam, buspirone, chlordiazepoxide, chlorpromazine, clomipramine, clorazepate, diazepam, halazepam, hydroxyzine, imipramine, ketazolam, lorazepam, meprobamate, oxazepam, prazepam, prochlorperazine, thioridazine, trifluoperazine, venlafaxine.
Antiarrhythmics—A group of drugs used to treat heartbeat irregularities (arrhythmias).
These drugs include acebutolol, adenosine, amiodarone, atenolol, atropine, bretylium, deslanoside, digitalis, digitoxin, diltiazem, disopyramide, dofetilide, edrophonium, encainide, esmolol, flecainide, glycopyrrolate, hyoscyamine, lidocaine, methoxamine, metoprolol, mexiletine, nadolol, oxprenolol, phenytoin, propafenone, propranolol, quinidine, scopolamine, sotalol, timolol, verapamil.
Antiasthmatics—Medicines used to treat asthma, which may be tablets, liquids or aerosols (to be inhaled to get directly to the bronchial tubes rather than through the bloodstream). These medicines include adrenocorticoids, glucocorticoid; albuterol; aminophylline; astemizole; beclomethasone; bitolterol; budesonide; cetirizine; corticotropin; cromolyn; dexamethasone; dyphylline; ephedrine; epinephrine; ethylnorepinephrine; fenoterol; flunisolide; fluticasone; ipratropium, isoetharine; isoproterenol; isoproterenol and phenylephrine; loratadine; metaproterenol; oxtriphylline; oxtriphylline and guaifenesin; pirbuterol; racepinephrine; terbutaline; theophylline; theophylline and guaifenesin; triamcinolone.
Antibacterials (Antibiotics)—A group of drugs prescribed to treat infections. These drugs include, amikacin, amoxicillin, amoxicillin and clavulanate, ampicillin, azithromycin, azlocillin, aztreonam, bacampicillin, carbenicillin, cefaclor, cefadroxil, cefamandole, cefazolin, cefonicid, cefoperazone, ceforanide, cefotaxime, cefotetan, cefoxitin, ceftazidime, ceftibuten, ceftizoxime, ceftriaxone, cefuroxime, cephalexin, cephalothin, cephapirin, cephradine, chloramphenicol, cinoxacin, clarithromycin, clindamycin, cloxacillin, cyclacillin, cycloserine, demeclocycline, dicloxacillin, dirithromycin, doxycycline, erythromycin, erythromycin and sulfisoxazole, fidaxomicin, flucloxacillin, fusidic acid, gentamicin, imipenem and cilastatin, kanamycin, lincomycin, methacycline, methenamine, methicillin, metronidazole, mezlocillin, minocycline, moxalactam, nafcillin, nalidixic acid, netilmicin, nitrofurantoin, norfloxacin, oxacillin, oxytetracycline, penicillin G, penicillin V, piperacillin, pivampicillin, rifabutin, rifampin, rifaximin, spectinomycin, streptomycin, sulfacytine, sulfadiazine and trimethoprim, sulfamethoxazole, sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim, sulfisoxazole, telithromycin, tetracycline, ticarcillin, ticarcillin and clavulanate, tinidazole, tobramycin, trimethoprim, vancomycin.
Antibiotics—Chemicals that inhibit the growth of or kill germs. See Antibacterials.
Anticholinergics—Drugs that work against acetylcholine, a chemical found in many locations in the body, including connections between nerve cells and connections between muscle and nerve cells. Anticholinergic drugs include aclidinium. amantadine, anisotropine, atropine, belladonna, benztropine, biperiden, clidinium, darifenacin, dicyclomine, glycopyrrolate, homatropine, hyoscyamine, ipratropium, isopropamide, mepenzolate, methantheline, methscopolamine, oxybutynin, pirenzepine, propantheline, scopolamine, solifenacin, tolterodine, trihexyphenidyl, trospium.
Anticoagulants—A family of drugs prescribed to slow the rate of blood clotting. These drugs include acenocoumarol, anisindione, apixaban, dabigatran, dicumarol, dihydroergotamine and heparin, heparin, rivaroxaban, vorapaxar, warfarin.
Anticonvulsants—A group of drugs prescribed to treat or prevent seizures (convulsions). These drugs include these families: barbiturates, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, diones, hydantoins and succinimides. These are the names of the generic drugs in these families: acetazolamide, amobarbital, carbamazepine, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, clobazam, clonazepam, clorazepate, diazepam, dichlorphenamide, divalproex, ethosuximide, ethotoin, felbamate, fosphenytoin, gabapentin, lacosamide, lamotrigine, levetiracetam lorazepam, mephenytoin, mephobarbital, metharbital, methsuximide, nitrazepam, oxcarbazepine, paraldehyde, phenacemide, paramethadione, pentobarbital, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone, secobarbital, tiagabine, topiramate, trimethadione, valproic acid, zonisamide.
Antidepressants—A group of medicines prescribed to treat mental depression. These drugs include amitriptyline, amoxapine, bupropion, citalopram, clomipramine, desipramine, doxepin, duloxetine, escitalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, imipramine, isocarboxazid, lithium, maprotiline, mirtazapine, moclobemide, nefazodone, nortriptyline, paroxetine, phenelzine, protriptyline, sertraline, tranylcypromine, trazodone, trimipramine, venlafaxine, vortioxetine.
Antidepressants, MAO (Monoamine Oxidase) Inhibitors—A special group of drugs prescribed for mental depression. These are not as popular as in years past because of a relatively high incidence of adverse effects. These drugs include isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate).
Antidepressants, Tricyclic (TCAs)—A group of medicines with similar chemical structure and pharmacologic activity used to treat mental depression. These drugs include amitriptyline, amoxapine, clomipramine, desipramine, doxepin, imipramine, nortriptyline, protriptyline, trimipramine.
Antidiabetic Agents—A group of drugs used in the treatment of diabetes. These medicines all reduce blood sugar. These drugs include acarbose, acetohexamide, canagliflozin, chlorpropamide, dapaglifozin, gliclazide, glimepiride, glipizide, glyburide, insulin, insulin analogs, linagliptin, metformin, nateglinide, pioglitazone, repaglinide, rosiglitazone, saxagliptin, sitagliptin, tolazamide, tolbutamide, troglitazone.
Antidiarrheal Preparations—Medicines that treat diarrhea symptoms. Most do not cure the cause. Oral medicines include aluminum hydroxide; charcoal, activated; kaolin and pectin; loperamide; polycarbophil; psyllium hydrophilic mucilloid. Systemic medicines include carbohydrates; codeine; difenoxin and atropine; diphenoxylate and atropine; glucose and electrolytes; glycopyrrolate; kaolin, pectin, belladonna alkaloids and opium; kaolin, pectin and paregoric; nitazoxanide, opium tincture; paregoric, rifaximin.
Antidyskinetics—A group of drugs used for treatment of Parkinsonism (paralysis agitans) and drug-induced extrapyramidal reactions (see elsewhere in Glossary). These drugs include amantadine, benztropine, biperiden, bromocriptine, carbidopa and levodopa, diphenhydramine, entacapone, ethopropazine, levodopa, levodopa and benserazide, procyclidine, rasagiline, selegiline, trihexyphenidyl.
Antiemetics—A group of drugs used to treat nausea and vomiting. These drugs include buclizine, cyclizine, chlorpromazine, dimenhydrinate, diphenhydramine, diphenidol, domperidone, dronabinol, haloperidol, hydroxyzine, meclizine, metoclopramide, nabilone, ondansetron, perphenazine, prochlorperazine, promethazine, scopolamine, thiethylperazine, triflupromazine, trimethobenzamide.
Antifibrinolytic Drugs—Drugs that are used to treat serious bleeding. These drugs include aminocaproic acid and tranexamic acid.
Antifungals—A group of drugs used to treat fungus infections. Those listed as systemic are taken orally or given by injection. Those listed as topical are applied directly to the skin and include liquids, powders, creams, ointments and liniments. Those listed as vaginal are used topically inside the vagina and sometimes on the vaginal lips. These drugs include: Systemic—amphotericin B, miconazole, fluconazole, flucytosine, griseofulvin, itraconazole, ketoconazole, potassium iodide, posaconazole, terbinafine. Topical—amphotericin B, carbol-fuchsin, ciclopirox; clioquinol, clotrimazole, econazole, haloprogin, ketoconazole, mafenide, miconazole, naftifine, nystatin, oxiconazole, salicylic acid, silver sulfadiazine, sulconazole, sulfur and coal, terbinafine, tioconazole, tolnaftate, undecylenic acid. Vaginal—butoconazole, clotrimazole, econazole, gentian violet, miconazole, nystatin, terconazole, tioconazole.
Antifungals, Azole—Drugs used to treat certain types of fungal infections. These drugs include fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, miconazole, posaconazole, sertaconazole, voriconazole.
Antiglaucoma Drugs—Medicines used to treat glaucoma. Those listed as systemic are taken orally or given by injection. Those listed as ophthalmic are for external use. These drugs include: Systemic—acetazolamide, dichlorphenamide, glycerin, mannitol, methazolamide, timolol, urea. Ophthalmic—apraclonidine, betaxolol, bimatoprost, brimonidine, brinzolamide, carbachol ophthalmic solution, carteolol, demecarium, dipivefrin, dorzolamide, echothiophate, epinephrine, epinephrine bitartrate, epinephryl borate, isoflurophate, isopropyl unoprostone, latanoprost, levobetaxolol, levobunolol, metipranolol, physostigmine, pilocarpine, tafluprost, timolol, travoprost, unoprostone.
Antigout Drugs—Drugs to treat the metabolic disease called gout. Gout causes recurrent attacks of joint pain caused by deposits of uric acid in the joints. Antigout drugs include allopurinol, carprofen, colchicine, febuxostat, fenoprofen, ibuprofen, indomethacin, ketoprofen, naproxen, phenylbutazone, piroxicam, probenecid, probenecid and colchicine, sulfinpyrazone, sulindac.
Antihistamines—A family of drugs used to treat allergic conditions, such as hay fever, allergic conjunctivitis, itching, sneezing, runny nose, motion sickness, dizziness, sedation, insomnia and others. These drugs include astemizole, azatadine, brompheniramine, carbinoxamine, cetirizine, chlorpheniramine, clemastine, cyproheptadine, desloratadine, dexchlorpheniramine, dimenhydrinate, diphenhydramine, diphenylpyraline, doxylamine, fexofenadine, hydroxyzine, loratadine, phenindamine, promethazine, pyrilamine, trimeprazine, tripelennamine, triprolidine.
Antihyperammonemias—Medications that decrease the amount of ammonia in the blood. The ones with this pharmacological property that are available in the United States are lactulose, sodium benzoate and sodium phenylacetate.
Antihyperlipidemics—A group of drugs used to treat hyperlipidemia (high levels of lipids in the blood). These include atorvastatin, cerivastatin, cholestyramine, clofibrate, colesevelam, colestipol, ezetimibe, fenofibrate, fluvastatin, gemfibrozil, lovastatin, niacin, pitavastatin, pravastatin, probucol, simvastatin, sodium dichloroacetate.
Antihypertensives—Drugs used to help lower high blood pressure. These medicines can be used singly or in combination with other drugs. They work best if accompanied by a low-salt, low-fat diet plus an active exercise program. These drugs include acebutolol, amiloride, amiloride and hydrochlorothiazide, amlodipine, atenolol, atenolol and chlorthalidone, benazepril, bendroflumethiazide, benzthiazide, betaxolol, bisoprolol, bumetanide, candesartan, captopril, captopril and hydrochlorothiazide, carteolol, carvedilol, chlorothiazide, chlorthalidone, cilazapril, clonidine, clonidine and chlorthalidone, cyclothiazide, debrisoquine, deserpidine, deserpidine and hydrochlorothiazide, deserpidine and methyclothiazide, diazoxide, diltiazem, doxazosin, enalapril, enalapril and hydrochlorothiazide, eplerenone, eprosartan ethacrynic acid, felodipine, fosinopril, furosemide, guanabenz, guanadrel, guanethidine, guanethidine and hydrochlorothiazide, guanfacine, hydralazine, hydralazine and hydrochlorothiazide, hydrochlorothiazide, hydroflumethiazide, indapamide, irbesartan isradipine, labetalol, labetalol and hydrochlorothiazide, lisinopril, lisinopril and hydrochlorothiazide, losartan, losartan and hydrochlorothiazide, mecamylamine, methyclothiazide, methyldopa, methyldopa and chlorothiazide, methyldopa and hydrochlorothiazide, metolazone, metoprolol, metoprolol and hydrochlorothiazide, minoxidil, moexipril, nadolol, nadolol and bendroflumethiazide, nicardipine, nifedipine, nisoldipine, nitroglycerin, nitroprusside, olmesartan, oxprenolol, penbutolol, perindopril, pindolol, pindolol and hydrochlorothiazide, polythiazide, prazosin, prazosin and polythiazide, propranolol, propranolol and hydrochlorothiazide, quinapril, quinethazone, ramipril, rauwolfia serpentina, rauwolfia serpentina and bendroflumethiazide, reserpine, reserpine and chlorothiazide, reserpine and chlorthalidone, reserpine and hydralazine, reserpine, hydralazine and hydrochlorothiazide, reserpine and hydrochlorothiazide, reserpine and hydroflumethiazide, reserpine and methyclothiazide, reserpine and polythiazide, reserpine and quinethazone, reserpine and trichlormethiazide, sotalol, spironolactone, spironolactone and hydrochlorothiazide, telmisartan, terazosin, timolol, timolol and hydrochlorothiazide, torsemide, trandolapril, triamterene, triamterene and hydrochlorothiazide, trichlormethiazide, trimethaphan, valsartan, verapamil.
Anti-Inflammatory Drugs, Nonsteroidal (NSAIDs)—A family of drugs not related to cortisone or other steroids that decrease inflammation wherever it occurs in the body. Used for treatment of pain, fever, arthritis, gout, menstrual cramps and vascular headaches. These drugs include aspirin; aspirin, alumina and magnesia tablets; buffered aspirin; bufexamac; celecoxib; choline salicylate; choline and magnesium salicylates; diclofenac; diflunisal; fenoprofen; flurbiprofen; ibuprofen; indomethacin; ketoprofen; ketorolac, magnesium salicylate; meclofenamate; meloxicam; naproxen; piroxicam; rofecoxib; salsalate; sodium salicylate; sulindac; tolmetin.
Anti-Inflammatory Drugs, Steroidal—A family of drugs with pharmacologic characteristics similar to those of cortisone and cortisone-like drugs. They are used for many purposes to help the body deal with inflammation no matter what the cause. Steroidal drugs may be taken orally or by injection (systemic) or applied locally (topical) for the skin, eyes, ears, bronchial tubes and others. These drugs include: Nasal—beclomethasone, budesonide, dexamethasone, flunisolide, fluticasone, triamcinolone. Ophthalmic (eyes)—betamethasone, dexamethasone, fluorometholone, hydrocortisone, medrysone, prednisolone, rimexolone. Otic (ears)—betamethasone, desonide and acetic acid, dexamethasone, hydrocortisone, hydrocortisone and acetic acid, prednisolone. Systemic—betamethasone, corticotropin, cortisone, dexamethasone, hydrocortisone, methylprednisolone, paramethasone, prednisolone, prednisone, triamcinolone. Topical—alclometasone; amcinonide; beclomethasone; betamethasone; clobetasol; clobetasone; clocortolone; desonide; desoximetasone; dexamethasone; diflorasone; diflucortolone; flumethasone; fluocinolone; fluocinonide; fluocinonide; flurandrenolide; fluticasone; halcinonide; halobetasol; mometasone; procinonide and ciprocinonide; flurandrenolide; halcinonide; hydrocortisone; methylprednisolone; mometasone; triamcinolone.
Antimalarials (also called Antiprotozoals)—A group of drugs used to treat malaria. The choice depends on the precise type of malaria organism and its developmental state. These drugs include amphotericin B, atovaquone and proguanil, clindamycin, chloroquine, dapsone, demeclocycline, doxycycline, halofantrine; hydroxychloroquine, iodoquinol, methacycline, mefloquine, metronidazole, minocycline, oxytetracycline, pentamidine, primaquine, proguanil, pyrimethamine, quinacrine, quinidine, quinine, sulfadoxine and pyrimethamine, sulfamethoxazole, sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim, sulfisoxazole, tetracycline.
Antimuscarinics—Drugs that relax smooth muscle such as the detrusor muscle in the bladder. They can also decrease the secretion of saliva, sweat and digestive juice. Some dilate the eyes.
Antimyasthenics—Medicines to treat myasthenia gravis, a muscle disorder (especially of the face and head) with increasing fatigue and weakness as muscles tire from use. These medicines include neostigmine, pyridostigmine.
Antineoplastics—Potent drugs used for malignant disease. Some of these are not described in this book, but they are listed here for completeness. These drugs include: Systemic—amifostine, altretamine, aminoglutethimide, amsacrine, anastrazole, antithyroid agents, asparaginase, azathioprine, bicalutamide, bleomycin, busulfan, capecitabine, carboplatin, carmustine, chlorambucil, chloramphenicol, chlorotrianisene, chromic phosphate, cisplatin, colchicine, cyclophosphamide, cyclosporine, cyproterone, cytarabine, dacarbazine, dactinomycin, daunorubicin, deferoxamine, diethylstilbestrol, docetaxel, doxorubicin, dromostanolone, epirubicin, estradiol, estradiol valerate, estramustine, estrogens (conjugated and esterified), estrone, ethinyl estradiol, etoposide, exemestane, floxuridine, flucytosine, fluorouracil, flutamide, fluoxymesterone, gemcitabine, gold compounds, goserelin, hexamethylmelamine, hydroxyprogesterone, hydroxyurea, ifosfamide, interferon alfa-2a and alfa-2b (recombinant), ketoconazole, letrozole, leucovorin, leuprolide, levamisole, levothyroxine, liothyronine, liotrix, lithium, lomustine, masoprocol, mechlorethamine, medroxyprogesterone, megestrol, melphalan, methyltestosterone, mercaptopurine, methotrexate, mitomycin, mitotane, mitoxantrone, nandrolone, paclitaxel, phenpropionate, penicillamine, plicamycin, porfimer, procarbazine, raltitrexed, sodium iodide I 131, sodium phosphate P 32, streptozocin, tamoxifen, temoporfin, teniposide, testolactone, testosterone, thioguanine, thiotepa, thyroglobulin, thyroid, thyrotropin, topotecan, toremifene, trastuzumab, trimetrexate, triptorelin, uracil mustard, valrubicin, vinblastine, vincristine, vindesine, vinorelbine, zidovudine. Topical—fluorouracil, mechlorethamine.
Antiparkinsonism Drugs—Drugs used to treat Parkinson’s disease. A disease of the central nervous system in older adults, it is characterized by gradual progressive muscle rigidity, tremors and clumsiness. These drugs include amantadine, benztropine, biperiden, bromocriptine, carbidopa and levodopa, diphenhydramine, entacapone, ethopropazine, levodopa, levodopa and benserazide, orphenadrine, pramipexole, procyclidine, rasagiline, ropinirole, rotigotine, selegiline, trihexyphenidyl.
Antiplatelet Drugs—Drugs used to stop the platelets in the blood from sticking to one another and forming blood clots. These drugs include aspirin, clopidogrel, dipyridamole, prasugrel, rivaroxaban, ticagrelor, ticlopidine.
Antipsychotic Drugs—A group of drugs used to treat the mental disease of psychosis, including such variants as schizophrenia, manic-depressive illness, anxiety states, severe behavior problems and others. These drugs include acetophenazine, aripiprazole, asenapine, carbamazepine, chlorpromazine, chlorprothixene, fluphenazine, flupenthixol, fluspirilene, haloperidol, iloperidone, loxapine, mesoridazine, methotrimeprazine, molindone, paliperidone, pericyazine, perphenazine, pimozide, pipotiazine, prochlorperazine, promazine, risperidone, thioproperazine, thioridazine, thiothixene, trifluoperazine, triflupromazine.
Antitussives—A group of drugs used to suppress coughs. These drugs include benzonatate, chlophedianol, codeine (oral), dextromethorphan, diphenhydramine syrup, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, methadone, morphine.
Antiulcer Drugs—A group of medicines used to treat peptic ulcer in the stomach, duodenum or the lower end of the esophagus. These drugs include amitriptyline, antacids, anticholinergics, antispasmodics, bismuth subsalicylate, cimetidine, doxepin, famotidine, lansoprazole, misoprostol, nizatidine, omeprazole, ranitidine, sucralfate, trimipramine.
Antiurolithics—Medicines that prevent the formation of kidney stones.
Antiviral Drugs—A group of drugs used to treat viral infections. These drugs include: Ophthalmic (eye)—idoxuridine, trifluridine, vidarabine. Systemic—acyclovir, amantadine, didanosine, famciclovir, foscarnet, ganciclovir, oseltamivir, ribavirin, rilpivirine, rimantadine, stavudine, zalcitabine, zanamivir, zidovudine. Topical drugs—acyclovir, docosanol.
Antivirals, HIV/AIDS—A group of drugs used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). They work by suppressing the replication of HIV. These drugs include abacavir, darunavir, delavirdine, didanosine, efavirenz, indinavir, lamivudine, maraviroc, nelfinavir, nevirapine, raltegravir, ritonavir, saquinavir, stavudine, tipranavir, zalcitabine, zidovudine.
Appendicitis—Inflammation or infection of the appendix. Symptoms include loss of appetite, nausea, low-grade fever and tenderness in the lower right of the abdomen.
Appetite Suppressants—A group of drugs used to decrease the appetite as part of an overall treatment for obesity. These drugs include amphetamine and dextroamphetamine, benzphetamine, diethylpropion, fenfluramine, mazindol, phendimetrazine, phentermine, phenylpropanolamine, sibutramine.
Artery—Blood vessel carrying blood away from the heart.
Asthma—Recurrent attacks of breathing difficulty due to spasms and contractions of the bronchial tubes.
Attenuated Virus Vaccines—Liquid products of killed germs used for injections to prevent certain diseases.
B
Bacteria—Microscopic organisms. Some bacteria contribute to health; others (germs) cause disease and infection.
Barbiturates—Powerful drugs used for sedation, to help induce sleep and sometimes to prevent seizures. Except for use in seizures (phenobarbital), barbiturates are being used less and less because there are better, less hazardous drugs that produce the same or better effects. These drugs include amobarbital, aprobarbital, butabarbital, mephobarbital, metharbital, pentobarbital, phenobarbital, secobarbital, secobarbital and amobarbital, talbutal.
Basal Area of Brain—Part of the brain that regulates muscle control and tone.
Benzethonium Chloride—A compound used as a preservative in some drug preparations. It is also used in various concentrations for cleaning cooking and eating utensils and as a disinfectant.
Benzodiazepines—A family of drugs prescribed to treat anxiety and alcohol withdrawal and sometimes prescribed for sedation. These drugs include alprazolam, bromazepam, chlordiazepoxide, clobazam, clonazepam, clorazepate, diazepam, estazolam, flurazepam, halazepam, ketazolam, lorazepam, nitrazepam, oxazepam, prazepam, quazepam, triazolam.
Beta Agonists—A group of drugs that act directly on cells in the body (beta-adrenergic receptors) to relieve spasms of the bronchial tubes and other organs consisting of smooth muscles. These drugs include albuterol, bitolterol, indacaterol, isoetharine, isoproterenol, metaproterenol, terbutaline.
Beta-Adrenergic Blocking Agents—A family of drugs with similar pharmacological actions with some variations. These drugs are prescribed for angina, heartbeat irregularities (arrhythmias), high blood pressure, hypertrophic subaortic stenosis, vascular headaches (as a preventative, not to treat once the pain begins) and others. Timolol is prescribed for treatment of open-angle glaucoma. These drugs include acebutolol, atenolol, betaxolol, bisoprolol, carteolol, labetalol, levobetaxolol, metoprolol, nadolol, oxprenolol, penbutolol, pindolol, propranolol, sotalol, timolol.
Bile Acids—Components of bile that are derived from cholesterol and formed in the liver. Bile acids aid the digestion of fat.
Biologic Response Modifiers—Substances that are produced naturally in the body or manufactured as drugs designed to strengthen, direct, or restore the body’s immune response. The drugs are used in treating disease such as rheumatoid arthritis, certain cancers and some infections. These drugs include abatacept, adalimumab, anakinra, atumumab, canakinumab, certolizumab, etanercept, infliximab, golimumab, interferon, interleukin-2, natalizumab, rilonacept, rituximab, tocilizumab, tofacitinib, ustekinumab, various types of colony-stimulating factors.
Blood Count—Laboratory studies to count white blood cells, red blood cells, platelets and other elements of the blood.
Blood Dyscrasia-Causing Medicines—Drugs which cause unpredictable damaging effects to human bone marrow. These effects occur in a small minority of patients and are not dependent upon dosage. These medicines include the following (some of which are not described in this book): ACE inhibitors, acetazolamide, aminopyrine, amodiaquine, anticonvulsants (dione, hydantoin, succinimide), antidepressants (tricyclic), antidiabetic agents (sulfonylurea), anti-inflammatory analgesics, antithyroid agents, bexarotene, captopril, carbamazepine, cephalosporins, chloramphenicol, cisplatin, clopidogrel, clozapine, dapsone, divalproex, felbamate, flecainide acetate, foscarnet, gold compounds, levamisole, loxapine, maprotiline, methicillin, methimazole, methsuximide, metronidazole, mirtazapine, pantoprazole, penicillins (some), penicillamine, pentamidine, phenacemide, phenothiazines, phensuximide, phenytoin, pimozide, primaquine, primidone, propafenone, propylthiouracil, pyrimethamine (large doses), rabeprazole, rifampin, rifapentine, rituximab, sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim, sulfasalazine, sulfonamides, thioxanthenes, ticlopidine, tiopronin, topiramate, trastuzumab, trimethobenzamide, trimethoprim, valproic acid.
Blood Pressure, Diastolic—Pressure (usually recorded in millimeters of mercury) in the large arteries of the body when the heart muscle is relaxed and filling for the next contraction.
Blood Pressure, Systolic—Pressure (usually recorded in millimeters of mercury) in the large arteries of the body at the instant the heart muscle contracts.
Blood Sugar (Blood Glucose)—Necessary element in the blood to sustain life.
Bone Marrow Depressants—Medicines that affect the bone marrow to depress its normal function of forming blood cells. These medicines include the following (some of which are not described in this book): abacavir, alcohol, aldesleukin, altretamine, amphotericin B (systemic), anticancer drugs, antithyroid drugs, azathioprine, bexarotene, busulfan, capecitabine, carboplatin, carmustine, chlorambucil, chloramphenicol, chromic phosphate, cisplatin, cladribine, clozapine, colchicine, cyclophosphamide, cyproterone, cytarabine, dacarbazine, dactinomycin, daunorubicin, didanosine, docetaxel, doxorubicin, eflornithine, epirubicin, etoposide, floxuridine, flucytosine, fludarabine, fluorouracil, ganciclovir, gemcitabine, hydroxyurea, idarubicin, ifosfamide, imatinib, interferon, irinotecan, lomustine, mechlorethamine, melphalan, mercaptopurine, methotrexate, mitomycin, mitoxantrone, paclitaxel, pentostatin, plicamycin, procarbazine, sirolimus, streptozocin, sulfa drugs, temozolomide, teniposide, thioguanine, thiotepa, topotecan, trimetrexate, uracil mustard, valrubicin, vidarabine (large doses), vinblastine, vincristine, vindesine, vinorelbine, zidovudine, zoledronic acid.
Bone Marrow Depression—Reduction of the blood-producing capacity of human bone marrow. Can be caused by many drugs taken for long periods of time in high doses.
Brain Depressants—Any drug that depresses brain function, such as tranquilizers, narcotics, alcohol and barbiturates.
Brand Name Drug—A brand name drug is a drug marketed under a proprietary, trademark-protected name.
Bronchodilators—A group of drugs used to dilate the bronchial tubes to treat such problems as asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, bronchiectasis, allergies and others. These drugs include albuterol, aminophylline, arformoterol, bitolterol, cromolyn, dyphylline, ephedrine, epinephrine, ethylnorepinephrine, fenoterol, formoterol, indacaterol, ipratropium, isoetharine, isoproterenol, levalbuterol metaproterenol, nedocromil, oxtriphylline, oxtriphylline and guaifenesin, pirbuterol, procaterol, salmeterol, terbutaline, theophylline and guaifenesin.
Bronchodilators, Xanthine-Derivative—Drugs of similar chemical structure and pharmacological activity that are prescribed to dilate bronchial tubes in disorders such as asthma, bronchitis, emphysema and other chronic lung diseases. These drugs include aminophylline, dyphylline, oxtriphylline, theophylline.
BUN—Abbreviation for blood urea nitrogen. A test often used as a measurement of kidney function.
C
Calcium Channel Blockers—A group of drugs used to treat angina and heartbeat irregularities. These drugs include bepridil, diltiazem, felodipine, flunarizine, isradipine, nicardipine, nifedipine, nimodipine, verapamil.
Calcium Supplements—Supplements used to increase the calcium concentration in the blood in an attempt to make bones denser (as in osteoporosis). These supplements include calcium citrate, calcium glubionate, calcium gluconate, calcium glycerophosphate and calcium lactate, calcium lactate, dibasic calcium phosphate, tribasic calcium phosphate.
Carbamates—A group of drugs derived from carbamic acid and used for anxiety or as sedatives. They include meprobamate and ethinamate.
Carbetapentane—An antitussive (cough suppressing) drug similar to dextromethorphan in action. It is an ingredient in some cough and cold remedies.
Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors—Drugs used to treat glaucoma and seizures and to prevent high altitude sickness. They include acetazolamide, brinzolamide, dichlorphenamide, dorzolamide, methazolamide.
Cataract—Loss of transparency in the lens of the eye.
Catecholamines—A group of drugs, also found naturally in the body, used to treat low blood pressure or shock. These drugs include dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine.
Cationic Drugs—Drugs removed from the body by the kidneys (called renal tubular secretion). If two of these drugs are taken together, one of them may stay in the body longer and increase its effect. These drugs include digoxin, metformin, morphine, pancuronium, tenofovir, trospium, vancomycin.
Cell—Unit of protoplasm, the essential living matter of all plants and animals.
Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressants—These drugs cause sedation or otherwise diminish brain activity and other parts of the nervous system. These drugs include alcohol, aminoglutethimide, anesthetics (general and injection-local), anticonvulsants, antidepressants (MAO inhibitors, tricyclic), antidyskinetics (except amantadine), antihistamines, apomorphine, azelastine, baclofen, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, beta-adrenergic blocking agents, brimonidine, buclizine, carbamazepine, cetirizine, chlophedianol, chloral hydrate, chlorzoxazone, clonidine, clozapine, cyclizine, cytarabine, difenoxin and atropine, diphenoxylate and atropine, disulfiram, donepezil, dronabinol, droperidol, ethchlorvynol, ethinamate, etomidate, fenfluramine, fluoxetine, glutethimide, guanabenz, guanfacine, haloperidol, hydroxyzine, ifosfamide, interferon, loxapine, magnesium sulfate (injection), maprotiline, meclizine, meprobamate, methyldopa, methyprylon, metoclopramide, metyrosine, mirtazapine, mitotane, molindone, nabilone, nefazodone, olanzapine, opioid (narcotic) analgesics, oxcarbazepine, oxybutynin, paliperidone, paraldehyde, paregoric, pargyline, paroxetine, phenothiazines, pimozide, procarbazine, promethazine, propiomazine, propofol, quetiapine, rauwolfia alkaloids, risperidone, scopolamine, sertraline, skeletal muscle relaxants (centrally acting), tapentadol, thalidomide, thioxanthenes, tramadol, trazodone, trimeprazine, trimethobenzamide, zaleplon, zolpidem, zonisamide, zopiclone.
Central Nervous System (CNS) Stimulants—Drugs that cause excitation, anxiety and nervousness or otherwise stimulate the brain and other parts of the central nervous system. These drugs include amantadine, amphetamines, anesthetics (local), appetite suppressants (except fenfluramine), bronchodilators (xanthine- derivative), bupropion, caffeine, chlophedianol, cocaine, dextroamphetamine, diclofenac, doxapram, dronabinol, dyphylline, entacapone, ephedrine (oral), fluoroquinolones, fluoxetine, meropenem, methamphetamine, methylphenidate, moclobemide, modafinil, nabilone, pemoline, rasagiline, selegiline, sertraline, sympathomimetics, topiramate, tranylcypromine, zonisamide.
Cephalosporins—Antibiotics that kill many bacterial germs that penicillin and sulfa drugs can’t destroy.
Cholinergics (Parasympathomimetics)—Chemicals that facilitate passage of nerve impulses through the parasympathetic nervous system.
Cholinesterase Inhibitors—Drugs that prevent the action of cholinesterase (an enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine in the body).
Chronic—Long-term, continuing. Chronic illnesses may not be curable, but they can often be prevented from becoming worse. Symptoms usually can be alleviated or controlled.
Cirrhosis—Disease that scars and destroys liver tissue resulting in abnormal function.
Citrates—Medicines taken orally to make urine more acid. Citrates include potassium citrate, potassium citrate and citric acid, potassium citrate and sodium citrate, sodium citrate and acid, tricitrates.
Coal Tar Preparations—Creams, ointments and lotions used on the skin for various skin ailments.
Cobicistst—A drug that in itself does not treat any disorder. It is combined with certain other drugs and acts as a boosting agent to raise the level of the combined drug(s) in the body.
Colitis, Ulcerative—Chronic, recurring ulcers of the colon for unknown reasons.
Collagen—Support tissue of skin, tendon, bone, cartilage and connective tissue.
Colostomy—Surgical opening from the colon, the large intestine, to the outside of the body.
Coma—A sleeplike state from which a person cannot be aroused.
Compliance—The extent to which a person follows medical advice.
Congestive—Characterized by excess accumulation of fluid. In congestive heart failure, congestion occurs in the lungs, liver, kidneys and other parts of the body to cause shortness of breath, swelling of the ankles and feet, rapid heartbeat and other symptoms.
Constriction—Tightness or pressure.
Contraceptives, Hormonal—Any form of contraception (birth control) that contains hormones (such as ethinyl estradiol and others). These forms include oral, injectable, transdermal and implantable.
Contraceptives, Oral (Birth Control Pills)—A group of hormones used to prevent ovulation, therefore preventing pregnancy. These hormones include drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol, ethynodiol diacetate and ethinyl estradiol, ethynodiol diacetate and mestranol, etonogestrel, levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol, medroxyprogesterone, norethindrone tablets, norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol, norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol, norethindrone and mestranol, norethynodrel and mestranol, norgestrel, norgestrel and ethinyl estradiol.
Contraceptives, Vaginal—Topical medications or devices applied inside the vagina to prevent pregnancy.
Convulsions—Violent, uncontrollable contractions of the voluntary muscles.
COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)—Lung conditions including emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
Corticosteroids (Adrenocorticosteroids)—Steroid hormones produced by the body’s adrenal cortex or their synthetic equivalents.
Cortisone (Adrenocorticoids, Glucocorticoids) and Other Adrenal Steroids—Medicines that mimic the action of the steroid hormone cortisone, manufactured in the cortex of the adrenal gland. These drugs decrease the effects of inflammation within the body. They are available for injection, oral use, topical use for the skin, eyes and nose and inhalation for the bronchial tubes. These drugs include alclometasone; amcinonide; beclomethasone; benzyl benzoate; betamethasone; bismuth; ciclesonide; clobetasol; clobetasone 17-butyrate; clocortolone; cortisone; desonide; desoximetasone; desoxycorticosterone; dexamethasone; diflorasone; diflucortolone; fludrocortisone; flumethasone; flunisolide; fluocinonide; fluocinonide, procinonide and ciprocinonide; fluorometholone; fluprednisolone, flurandrenolide; halcinonide; hydrocortisone; medrysone; methylprednisolone; mometasone; paramethasone; Peruvian balsam; prednisolone; prednisone; triamcinolone; zinc oxide.
Cycloplegics—Eye drops that prevent the pupils from accommodating to varying degrees of light.
Cystitis—Inflammation of the urinary bladder.
D
Decongestants—Drugs used to relieve congestion by shrinking swollen membranes. These drugs include: Cough-suppressing—phenylephrine and dextromethorphan, phenylpropanolamine (phenylpropanolamine products are being discontinued) and caramiphen, phenylpropanolamine and dextromethorphan, phenylpropanolamine and hydrocodone, pseudoephedrine and codeine, pseudoephedrine and dextromethorphan, pseudoephedrine and hydrocodone. Cough-suppressing and pain-relieving—phenylpropanolamine, dextromethorphan and acetaminophen. Cough-suppressing and sputum-thinning—phenylephrine, dextromethorphan and guaifenesin; phenylephrine, hydrocodone and guaifenesin; phenylpropanolamine, codeine and guaifenesin; phenylpropanolamine, dextromethorphan and guaifenesin; pseudoephedrine, codeine and guaifenesin; pseudoephedrine, dextromethorphan and guaifenesin; pseudoephedrine, hydrocodone and guaifenesin; phenylephrine, dextromethorphan, guaifenesin and acetaminophen; pseudoephedrine, dextromethorphan, guaifenesin and acetaminophen.
Sputum-thinning—ephedrine and guaifenesin; ephedrine and potassium iodide; phenylephrine, phenylpropanolamine and guaifenesin; phenylpropanolamine and guaifenesin; pseudoephedrine and guaifenesin.
Nasal—ephedrine (oral), phenylpropanolamine, pseudoephedrine.
Ophthalmic (eye)—naphazoline, oxymetazoline, phenylephrine.
Topical—oxymetazoline, phenylephrine, xylometazoline.
Delirium—Temporary mental disturbance characterized by hallucinations, agitation and incoherence.
Detoxification—A process in which the body rids itself of a drug (or its metabolites). During this period, withdrawal symptoms can emerge that may require medical treatment. This is often the first step in drug abuse treatment.
Diabetes—Metabolic disorder in which the body can’t use carbohydrates efficiently. This leads to a dangerously high level of glucose (a carbohydrate) in the blood.
Dialysis—Procedure to filter waste products from the bloodstream of patients with kidney failure.
Digitalis Preparations (Digitalis Glycosides)—Important drugs to treat heart disease, such as congestive heart failure, heartbeat irregularities and cardiogenic shock. These drugs include digitoxin, digoxin.
Digoxin—One of the digitalis drugs used to treat heart disease. All digitalis products were originally derived from the foxglove plant.
Dilation—Enlargement.
Disulfiram Reaction—Disulfiram (Antabuse) is a drug to treat alcoholism. When alcohol in the bloodstream interacts with disulfiram, it causes a flushed face, severe headache, chest pains, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, sweating and weakness. Severe reactions may cause death. A disulfiram reaction is the interaction of any drug with alcohol or another drug to produce these symptoms.
Diuretics—Drugs that act on the kidneys to prevent reabsorption of electrolytes, especially chlorides. They are used to treat edema, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, kidney and liver failure and others. These drugs include amiloride, amiloride and hydrochlorothiazide, bendroflumethiazide, benzthiazide, bumetanide, chlorothiazide, chlorthalidone, cyclothiazide, ethacrynic acid, furosemide, glycerin, hydrochlorothiazide, hydroflumethiazide, indapamide, mannitol, methyclothiazide, metolazone, polythiazide, quinethazone, spironolactone, spironolactone and hydrochlorothiazide, triamterene, triamterene and hydrochlorothiazide, trichlormethiazide, urea.
Diuretics, Loop—Drugs that act on the kidneys to prevent reabsorption of electrolytes, especially sodium. They are used to treat edema, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, kidney and liver failure and others. These drugs include bumetanide, ethacrynic acid, furosemide.
Diuretics, Potassium-Sparing—Drugs that act on the kidneys to prevent reabsorption of electrolytes, especially sodium. They are used to treat edema, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, kidney and liver failure and others. This particular group of diuretics does not allow the unwanted side effect of low potassium in the blood to occur. These drugs include amiloride, spironolactone, triamterene.
Diuretics, Thiazide—Drugs that act on the kidneys to prevent reabsorption of electrolytes, especially chlorides. They are used to treat edema, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, kidney and liver failure and others. These drugs include bendroflumethiazide, benzthiazide, chlorothiazide, chlorthalidone, cyclothiazide, hydrochlorothiazide, hydroflumethiazide, methyclothiazide, metolazone, polythiazide, quinethazone, trichlormethiazide.
Dopamine Agonists—Drugs that stimulate activity of dopamine (a brain chemical that helps control movement). These include apomorphine, bromocriptine, cabergoline, pramipexole, quinagolide, ropinirole, rotigotine.
Dopamine Antagonists—Drugs that interfere with dopamine production (brain chemical that helps control movement). These drugs include haloperidol, metoclopramide, phenothiazines, procainamide, thioxanthenes and others.
Dosage Form—A dosage form is the physical form in which a drug is produced and dispensed, such as a tablet, a capsule, an injectable and others.
Duodenum—The first 12 inches of the small intestine.
E
ECG (or EKG)—Abbreviation for electrocardiogram or electrocardiograph. An ECG is a graphic tracing representing the electrical current produced by impulses passing through the heart muscle. This is a useful test in the diagnosis of heart disease, but used alone it usually can’t make a complete diagnosis. An ECG is most useful in two areas:
(1) demonstrating heart rhythm disturbances and (2) demonstrating changes when there is a myocardial infarction (heart attack). It will detect enlargement of either heart chamber, but will not establish a diagnosis of heart failure or disease of the heart valves.
Eczema—Disorder of the skin with redness, itching, blisters, weeping and abnormal pigmentation.
EEG—Electroencephalogram or electro-encephalograph. An EEG is a graphic recording of electrical activity generated spontaneously from nerve cells in the brain. This test is useful in the diagnosis of brain dysfunction, particularly in studying seizure disorders.
Electrolytes—Substances that can transmit electrical impulses when dissolved in body fluids. These include sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate, and carbon dioxide.
Embolism—Sudden blockage of an artery by a clot or foreign material in the blood.
Emphysema—An irreversible disease in which the lung’s air sacs lose elasticity and air accumulates in the lungs.
Endometriosis—Condition in which uterus tissue is found outside the uterus. Can cause pain, abnormal menstruation and infertility.
Enzyme Inducers—Drugs that increase the metabolism of another drug in the liver, resulting in a decrease of that drug’s effect. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about this possible interaction. Listed here are the more common used drugs in this category. These drugs include: alcohol (chronic use), barbiturates (especially phenobarbital), carbamazepine, darunavir, dexamethasone, efavirenz, glucocorticoids, glutethimide, griseofulvin, insulin, isoniazid, modafinil, nafcillin, nevirapine, norethindrone, omeprazole, oxcarbazepine, phenylbutazone, phenytoin, pioglitazone, prednisone, primidone, rifabutin, rifampin, rifapentine, saquinavir, secobarbital, St. John’s wort, tipranavir, troglitazone. Also included are charbroiled meats, cruciferous vegetables (such as broccoli and cabbage) and smoking. There may be other drugs in this category. Consult doctor or pharmacist.
Enzyme Inducing Antiepileptic Drugs—Drugs used for seizure disorders that increase the metabolism of another drug in the liver, resulting in a decrease of that drug’s effect. These drugs include carbamazepine, phenytoin, primidone and phenobarbital.
Enzyme Inhibitors—Drugs that decrease the metabolism of another drug in the liver, resulting in an increase of that drug’s effect. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about this possible interaction. Listed here are the more common used drugs in this category. These drugs include: amiodarone, antipsychotics, aprepitant, asenapine, azole antifungals, bicalutamide, bupropion, celecoxib, chloramphenicol, chlorpheniramine, chlorpromazine, cimetidine, cinacalcet, ciprofloxacin, citalopram, clarithromycin, clemastine, clomipramine, cyclosporine, darunavir, delavirdine, diphenhydramine, diltiazem, disulfiram, doxepin, doxorubicin, duloxetine, enoxacin, erythromycins, escitalopram, fenofibrate, felbamate, fluoroquinolones, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, gemfibrozil, glitazones, halofantrine, histamine H2 receptor antagonists, HIV antivirals (some), hydroxyzine, imatinib, indomethacin, isoniazid, itraconazole, ketoconazole, lansoprazole, levomepromazine, lorcaserin, lovastatin, methadone, methoxsalen, metoclopramide, metronidazole, mibefradil, midodrine, mifepristone, mirabegron, moclobemide, modafinil, montelukast, nefazodone, nelfinavir, norfloxacin, norfluoxetine, omeprazole, oxcarbazepine, pantoprazole, paroxetine, perphenazine, phenothiazines, phenylbutazone, probenecid, protease inhibitors, quercetin, quinidine, rabeprazole, ranitidine, ranolazine, ritonavir, saquinavir, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), sertraline, sulfamethoxazole, sulfaphenazole, telithromycin, teniposide, terbinafine, thiotepa, ticagrelor, ticlopidine, topiramate, trimethoprim, tripelennamine, valproic acid, venlafaxine, verapamil, voriconazole, zafirlukast; and grapefruit juice. There may be other drugs in this category. Consult doctor or pharmacist.
Enzymes—Protein chemicals that can accelerate chemical reactions in the body.
Epilepsy—Episodes of brain disturbance that cause convulsions and loss of consciousness.
Erectile Dysfunction Agents—Medicines used to treat male impotence (the inability to develop and sustain an erection). These drugs include: Alprostadil, papaverine, sildenafil citrate, tadalafil, vardenafil, yohimbine.
Ergot Preparations (Alkaloids)—Medicines used to treat migraine and other types of throbbing headaches. Also used after delivery of babies to make the uterus clamp down and reduce excessive bleeding. These drugs include dihydroergotamine, ergoloid mesylates, ergotamine.
Erythromycins—A group of drugs with similar structure used to treat infections. These drugs include erythromycin, erythromycin estolate, erythromycin ethylsuccinate, erythromycin gluceptate, erythromycin lactobionate, erythromycin stearate.
Esophagitis—Inflammation of the lower part of the esophagus, the tube connecting the throat and the stomach.
Estrogens—Female hormones used to replenish the body’s stores after the ovaries have been removed or become nonfunctional after menopause. Also used with progesterone in some birth control pills and for other purposes. These drugs include: Systemic—chlorotrianisene, diethylstilbestrol, estradiol, estrogens (conjugated and esterified), estrone, estropipate, ethinyl estradiol, quinestrol. Vaginal—dienestrol, estradiol, estrogens (conjugated), estrone, estropipate.
Estrogen agonists/antagonists—Drugs that 1) activate (agonism) estrogenic receptors in certain body tissues to produce an estrogen effect, or 2) block (antagonism) estrogenic effects in others. Drugs in this group include ospemifene, raloxifene, tamoxifen and toremifene.
Eustachian Tube—Small passage from the middle ear to the sinuses and nasal passages.
Extrapyramidal Reactions—Abnormal reactions in the power and coordination of posture and muscular movements. Movements are not under voluntary control. Some drugs associated with producing extrapyramidal reactions include amoxapine, antidepressants (tricyclic), droperidol, haloperidol, loxapine, metoclopramide, metyrosine, moclobemide, molindone, olanzapine, paliperidone, paroxetine, phenothiazines, pimozide, rauwolfia alkaloids, risperidone, tacrine, thioxanthenes.
Extremity—Arm, leg, hand or foot.
F
Fecal Impaction—Condition in which feces become firmly wedged in the rectum.
Fibrocystic Breast Disease—Overgrowth of fibrous tissue in the breast, producing non-malignant cysts.
Fibroid Tumors—Non-malignant tumors of the muscular layer of the uterus.
Flu (Influenza)—A virus infection of the respiratory tract that lasts three to ten days. Symptoms include headache, fever, runny nose, cough, tiredness and muscle aches.
Fluoroquinolones—A class of drugs used to treat bacterial infections, such as urinary tract infections and some types of bronchitis. These drugs include ciprofloxacin, enoxacin, gatifloxacin, gemifloxacin, levofloxacin, lomefloxacin, moxifloxacin, norfloxacin, ofloxacin, sparfloxacin.
Folate Antagonists—Drugs that impair the body’s utilization of folic acid, which is necessary for cell growth. These drugs include dione anticonvulsants, hydantoin anticonvulsants, succinimide anticonvulsants, divalproex, methotrexate, oral contraceptives, phenobarbital (long-term use), pyrimethamine, sulfonamides, triamterene, trimethoprim, trimetrexate, valproic acid.
Folliculitis—Inflammation of a follicle.
Functional Dependence—The development of dependence on a drug for a normal body function. The primary example is the use of laxatives for a prolonged period so that there is a dependence on the laxative for normal bowel action.
G
G6PD—Deficiency of glucose 6-phosphate, which is necessary for glucose metabolism.
Ganglionic Blockers—Medicines that block the passage of nerve impulses through a part of the nerve cell called a ganglion. Ganglionic blockers are used to treat urinary retention and other medical problems. Bethanechol is one of the best ganglionic blockers.
Gastritis—Inflammation of the stomach.
Gastrointestinal—Of the stomach and intestinal tract.
Generic Drug—A generic drug is the same as a brand name drug in dosage, safety, strength, how it is taken, quality, performance, and intended use.
Gland—Organ or group of cells that manufactures and excretes materials not required for its own metabolic needs.
Glaucoma—Eye disease in which increased pressure inside the eye damages the optic nerve, causes pain and changes vision.
Glucagon—Injectable drug that immediately elevates blood sugar by mobilizing glycogen from the liver.
Gold Compounds—Medicines which use gold as their base and are usually used to treat joint or arthritic disorders. These medicines include auranofin, aurothioglucose, gold sodium thiomalate.
H
H2 Antagonists—Antihistamines that work against H2 histamine. H2 histamine may be liberated at any point in the body, but most often in the gastrointestinal tract.
Hangover Effect—The same feelings as a “hangover” after too much alcohol consumption. Symptoms include headache, irritability and nausea.
Hematocrit—A blood test that measure how much space in blood is occupied by red blood cells.
Hemochromatosis—Disorder of iron metabolism in which excessive iron is deposited in and damages body tissues, particularly of the liver and pancreas.
Hemoglobin—Pigment in blood that carries oxygen in red blood cells.
Hemolytics—Drugs that can destroy red blood cells and separate hemoglobin from the blood cells. These include acetohydroxamic acid, antidiabetic agents (sulfonylurea), doxapram, furazolidone, mefenamic acid, menadiol, methyldopa, nitrofurans, primaquine, quinidine, quinine, sulfonamides (systemic), sulfones, vitamin K.
Hemorheologic Agents—Medicines to help control bleeding.
Hemosiderosis—Increase of iron deposits in body tissues without tissue damage.
Hepatitis—Inflammation of liver cells, usually accompanied by jaundice.
Hepatotoxics—Medications that can possibly cause toxicity or decreased normal function of the liver. These drugs include the following (some of which are not described in this book): acetaminophen (with long-term use), abacavir, acitretin, alcohol, amiodarone, anabolic steroids, androgens, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, acitretin, anti-inflammatory drugs, nonsteroidal (NSAIDs), antithyroid agents, asparaginase, azlocillin, bexarotene, carbamazepine, carmustine, clindamycin, clofibrate, colestipol, cox 2 inhibitors, cyproterone, cytarabine, danazol, dantrolene, dapsone, daunorubicin, disulfiram, divalproex, dofetilide, epirubicin, erythromycins, estrogens, ethionamide, etretinate, felbamate, fenofibrate, fluconazole, flutamide, gold compounds, halothane, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, imatinib, iron (overdose) isoniazid, itraconazole, ketoconazole (oral), labetalol, mercaptopurine, methimazole, methotrexate, methyldopa, metronidazole, naltrexone, nevirapine, niacin (high doses), nilutamide, nitrofurans, pemoline, phenothiazines, phenytoin, piperacillin, plicamycin, posaconazole, pravastatin, probucol, rifampin, rosiglitazone, sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim, sulfonamides, tacrine, tenofovir, testosterone, tizanidine, tolcapone, toremifene, tretinoin, troglitazone, valproic acid, zidovudine, zidovudine and lamivudine.
Hiatal Hernia—Section of the stomach that protrudes into the chest cavity.
Histamine—Chemical in body tissues that dilates the smallest blood vessels, constricts the smooth muscle surrounding the bronchial tubes and stimulates stomach secretions.
History—Past medical events in a patient’s life.
Hives—Elevated patches on the skin that are redder or paler than surrounding skin and often itch severely.
HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors—A group of prescription drugs used to lower cholesterol. These include Atorvastatin, fluvastatin, lovastatin, pravastatin, pravastatin & aspirin, and simvastatin.
Hoarseness—Husky, gruff, weak voice.
Hormone Replacement Therapy—A medication (estrogen) or combination of medications (estrogen and progestin or estrogen and androgen) used for treatment of premenopausal and menopausal symptoms and for prevention of diseases that affect women in their later years.
Hormones—Chemical substances produced in the body to regulate other body functions.
Hypercalcemia—Too much calcium in the blood. This happens with some malignancies and in calcium overdose.
Hyperglycemia-Causing Medications—A group of drugs that may contribute to hyperglycemia (high blood sugar). These include oral estrogen-containing contraceptives, corticosteroids, estrogens, isoniazid, nicotinic acid, phenothiazines, phenytoin, sympathomimetics, thyroid hormones, thiazide diuretics.
Hyperkalemia-Causing Medications—Medicines that cause too much potassium in the bloodstream. These include ACE inhibitors; amiloride, anti-inflammatory drugs, nonsteroidal (NSAIDs); cyclosporine; digitalis glycosides; diuretics (potassium-sparing); pentamidine; spironolactone; succinylcholine chloride; tacrolimus; triamterene; trimethoprim; possibly any medicine that is combined with potassium.
Hypersensitivity—Serious reactions to many medications. The effects of hypersensitivity may be characterized by wheezing, shortness of breath, rapid heart rate, severe itching, faintness, unconsciousness and severe drop in blood pressure.
Hypertension—High blood pressure.
Hypervitaminosis—A condition due to an excess of one or more vitamins. Symptoms may include weakness, fatigue, loss of hair and changes in the skin.
Hypnotics—Drugs used to induce a sleeping state. See Barbiturates.
Hypocalcemia—Abnormally low level of calcium in the blood.
Hypoglycemia—Low blood sugar (blood glucose). A critically low blood sugar level will interfere with normal brain function and can damage the brain permanently.
Hypoglycemia-Causing Medications—A group of drugs that may contribute to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). These include clofibrate, monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, probenecid, propranolol, rifabutin, rifampicin, salicylates, sulfonamides (long-acting), sulfonylureas.
Hypoglycemics—Drugs that reduce blood sugar. These include acetohexamide, chlorpropamide, gliclazide, glipizide, glyburide, insulin, metformin, tolazamide, tolbutamide.
Hypokalemia-Causing Medications—Medicines that cause a depletion of potassium in the bloodstream. These include adrenocorticoids (systemic), alcohol, amphotericin B (systemic), bronchodilators (adrenergic), capreomycin, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, cisplatin, diuretics (loop and thiazide), edetate (long-term use), foscarnet, ifosfamide, indapamide, insulin, insulin lispro, laxatives (if dependent on), penicillins (some), salicylates, sirolimus, sodium bicarbonate, urea, vitamin D (overdose of).
Hypomagnesemia-Causing Drugs—Drugs that may increase the loss of magnesium in urine. The loss can lead to low blood levels of magnesium (hypomagnesemia). These drugs include busulfan, cyclosporine, digoxin, foscarnet, lenalidomide, loop diuretics, mycophenolate, nilotinib, proton-pump inhibitors, tacrolimus, thiazide diuretics, valganciclovir, voriconazole and others.
Hypotension—Blood pressure decrease below normal. Symptoms may include weakness, lightheadedness and dizziness.
Hypotension-Causing Drugs—Medications that might cause hypotension (low blood pressure). These include alcohol, alpha adrenergic blocking agents, alprostadil, amantadine, anesthetics (general), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors), angiotensin II receptor antagonists, antidepressants (MAO inhibitors, tricyclic), antihypertensives, benzodiazepines used as preanesthetics, beta-adrenergic blocking agents, brimonidine, bromocriptine, cabergoline, calcium channel-blocking agents, carbidopa and levodopa, clonidine, clozapine, dipyridamole and aspirin, diuretics, docetaxel, droperidol, edetate calcium disodium, edetate disodium, haloperidol, hydralazine, levodopa, lidocaine (systemic), loxapine, magnesium sulfate, maprotiline, mirtazapine, molindone, nabilone (high doses), nefazodone, nitrates, olanzapine, opioid analgesics (including fentanyl, fentanyl and sufentanil), oxcarbazepine, paclitaxel, paliperidone, pentamidine, pentoxifylline, phenothiazines, pimozide, pramipexole, propofol, quetiapine, quinidine, radiopaques (materials used in x-ray studies), ranitidine risperidone, rituximab, ropinirole, sildenafil, thioxanthenes, tizanidine, tolcapone, trazodone, vancomycin, venlafaxine. If you take any of these medications, be sure to tell a dentist, anesthesiologist or anyone else who intends to give you an anesthetic to put you to sleep.
Hypothermia-Causing Medications—Medicines that can cause a significant lowering of body temperature. These drugs include alcohol, alpha-adrenergic blocking agents (dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, labetalol, phenoxybenzamine, phentolamine, prazosin, tolazoline), barbiturates (large amounts), beta-adrenergic blocking agents, clonidine, insulin, minoxidil, narcotic analgesics (with overdose), phenothiazines, vasodilators.
I
Ichthyosis—Skin disorder with dryness, scaling and roughness.
Ileitis—Inflammation of the ileum, the last section of the small intestine.
Ileostomy—Surgical opening from the ileum, the end of the small intestine, to the outside of the body.
Immunosuppressants—Powerful drugs that suppress the immune system. Immuno-suppressants are used in patients who have had organ transplants or severe disease associated with the immune system. These drugs include the following (some of which are not described in this book): azathioprine, basiliximab, betamethasone, chlorambucil, corticotropin, cortisone, cyclophosphamide, cyclosporine, dacliximab, dexamethasone, hydrocortisone, mercaptopurine, methylprednisolone, muromonab, muromonab-CD3, mycophenolate, prednisolone, prednisone, sirolimus, tacrolimus, thalidomide, triamcinolone, ursodiol.
Impotence—Male’s inability to achieve or sustain erection of the penis for sexual intercourse.
Insomnia—Sleeplessness.
Interaction—Change in the body’s response to one drug when another is taken. Interaction may decrease the effect of one or both drugs, increase the effect of one or both drugs or cause toxicity.
Iron Supplements—Products that contain iron in a form that can be absorbed from the intestinal tract. Supplements include ferrous fumarate, ferrous gluconate, ferrous sulfate, iron dextran, iron-polysaccharide.
J
Jaundice—Symptoms of liver damage, bile obstruction or destruction of red blood cells. Symptoms include yellowed whites of the eyes, yellow skin, dark urine and light stool.
K
Keratosis—Growth that is an accumulation of cells from the outer skin layers.
Kidney Stones—Small, solid stones made from calcium, cholesterol, cysteine and other body chemicals.
L
Label—The approved label is the official description of a drug product which includes indication (what the drug is used for); who should take it; adverse events (side effects); instructions for uses in pregnancy, children, and other populations; and safety information for the patient. Labels are often found inside drug product packaging.
Laxatives—Medicines prescribed to treat constipation. These medicines include bisacodyl; bisacodyl and docusate; casanthranol; casanthranol and docusate; cascara sagrada; cascara sagrada and aloe; cascara sagrada and phenolphthalein; castor oil; danthron; danthron and docusate; danthron and poloxamer 188; dehydrocholic acid; dehydrocholic acid and docusate; docusate; docusate and phenolphthalein; docusate and mineral oil; docusate and phenolphthalein; docusate, carboxymethylcellulose and casanthranol; glycerin; lactulose; magnesium citrate; magnesium hydroxide; magnesium hydroxide and mineral oil; magnesium oxide; magnesium sulfate; malt soup extract; malt soup extract and psyllium; methylcellulose; mineral oil; mineral oil and cascara sagrada; mineral oil and phenolphthalein; mineral oil, glycerin and phenolphthalein; phenolphthalein; poloxamer; polycarbophil; potassium bitartrate and sodium bicarbonate; psyllium; psyllium and senna; psyllium hydrophilic mucilloid; psyllium hydrophilic mucilloid and carboxymethyl-cellulose; psyllium hydrophilic mucilloid and sennosides; psyllium hydrophilic mucilloid and senna; senna; senna and docusate; sennosides; sodium phosphate.
LDH—Abbreviation for lactate dehydrogenase. It is a measurement of cardiac enzymes used to confirm some heart conditions.
Lincomycins—A family of antibiotics used to treat certain infections.
Low-Purine Diet—A diet that avoids high-purine foods, such as liver, sweetbreads, kidneys, sardines, oysters and others. If you need a low-purine diet, request instructions from your doctor.
Lupus—Serious disorder of connective tissue that primarily affects women. Varies in severity with skin eruptions, joint inflammation, low white blood cell count and damage to internal organs, especially the kidneys.
Lymph Glands—Glands in the lymph vessels throughout the body that trap foreign and infectious matter and protect the bloodstream from infection.
M
Macrolides—A class of antibiotic (antibacterial) drugs. They include azithromycin, clarithromycin, dirithromycin, erythromycin, fidaxomicin, and telithromycin.
Male Hormones—Chemical substances secreted by the testicles, ovaries and adrenal glands in humans. Some male hormones used by humans are derived synthetically. Male hormones include testosterone cypionate and estradiol cypionate, testosterone enanthate and estradiol valerate.
Mania—A mood disturbance characterized by euphoria, agitation, elation, irritability, rapid and confused speech and excessive activity. Mania usually occurs as part of bipolar (manic- depressive) disorder.
Manic-Depressive Illness—Psychosis with alternating cycles of excessive enthusiasm and depression.
MAO Inhibitors—See Monoamine Oxidase (MAO) Inhibitors.
Mast Cell—Connective tissue cell.
Medication Guide—A medication guide contains information for patients on how to safely use a drug product.
Meglitinides—Drugs that stimulate the pancreas to produce insulin. Used to treat Type II (non-insulin dependent) diabetes. These drugs include repaglinide and nateglinide.
Menopause—The end of menstruation in the female, often accompanied by irritability, hot flashes, changes in the skin and bones and vaginal dryness.
Metabolism—Process of using nutrients and energy to build and break down wastes.
Migraine Headaches—Periodic headaches caused by constriction of arteries to the skull. Symptoms include severe pain, vision disturbances, nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light.
Mind-Altering Drugs—Any drugs that decrease alertness, perception, concentration, contact with reality or muscular coordination.
Mineral Supplements—Mineral substances added to the diet to treat or prevent mineral deficiencies. They include iron, copper, magnesium, calcium, etc.
Monoamine Oxidase (MAO) Inhibitors—Drugs that prevent the activity of the enzyme monoamine oxidase (MAO) in brain tissue. MAO inhibitors include drugs that treat depression, Parkinson’s and other conditions. MAOs can cause dangerous interactions with certain foods, beverages and other drugs. Drugs in this class include furazolidone, isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue, phenelzine, procarbazine, rasagiline, selegiline, St. John’s wort (acts similar to MAO inhibitors), tranylcypromine.
Muscle Blockers—Same as muscle relaxants or skeletal muscle relaxants.
Muscle Relaxants—Medicines used to lessen painful contractions and spasms of muscles. These include atracurium, carisoprodol, chlorphenesin, chlorzoxazone, cyclobenzaprine, metaxalone, methocarbamol, metocurine, orphenadrine citrate, orphenadrine hydrochloride, pancuronium, phenytoin, succinylcholine, tubocurarine, vecuronium.
Myasthenia Gravis—Disease of the muscles characterized by fatigue and progressive paralysis. It is usually confined to muscles of the face, lips, tongue and neck.
Mydriatics—Eye drops that cause the pupils to dilate (become larger) to a marked degree.
N
Narcotics—A group of habit-forming, addicting drugs used for treatment of pain, diarrhea, cough, acute pulmonary edema and others. Most are derived from opium, a milky exudate in capsules of papaver somniferum. Law requires licensed physicians to dispense by prescription. These drugs include alfentanil, buprenorphine, butorphanol, codeine, fentanyl, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, levorphanol, meperidine, methadone, morphine, nalbuphine, opium, oxycodone, oxymorphone, paregoric, pentazocine, propoxyphene, sufentanil.
Nephrotoxics—Under some circumstances, these medicines can be toxic to the kidneys. These medicines include acetaminophen (in high doses); acyclovir (injection of); aminoglycosides; amphotericin B (given internally); analgesic combinations containing acetaminophen and aspirin or other salicylates (with chronic high-dose use); anti-inflammatory analgesics (nonsteroidal); azapropazan; bacitracin (injection of); bezafibrate; capreomycin; carmustine; chlorpropamide; cidofovir; cimetidine; ciprofloxacin; cisplatin; colchicine; cox 2 inhibitors; cyclosporine; deferoxamine (long-term use); diclofenac; edetate calcium disodium (with high doses); edetate disodium (with high dose); fenofibrate; foscarnet; gentamycin; gold compounds; ifosfamide; imipenem; ketoconazole; lithium; mephalan; methicillin, methotrexate (with high dose therapy); methoxyflurane; nafcillin; neomycin (oral); pamidronate; penicillamine; pentamidine; pentostatin, phenacetin; plicamycin; polymyxins (injection of); radiopaques (materials used for special x-ray examinations); rifampin; streptozocin; sulfonamides; sulindac; tacrolimus; tetracyclines (except doxycycline and minocycline); tiopronin; tobramycin; tretinoin; trimethoprim; vancomycin (injection of).
Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome—Ceaseless involuntary, jerky movements of the tongue, facial muscles and hands.
Neuromuscular Blocking Agents—A group of drugs prescribed to relax skeletal muscles. They are all given by injection, and descriptions are not included in this book. These drugs include atracurium, edrophonium, gallamine, neostigmine, metocurine, pancuronium, pyridostigmine, succinylcholine, tubocurarine, vecuronium.
Neurotoxic Medications—Medicines that cause toxicity to the nerve tissues in the body. These drugs include alcohol (chronic use), allopurinol, altretamine, amantadine; amiodarone; anticonvulsants (hydantoin), capreomycin, carbamazepine, carboplatin, chloramphenicol (oral), chloroquine, cilastatin, ciprofloxacin, cisplatin, cycloserine, cyclosporine, cytarabine, didanosine, disulfiram, docetaxel, ethambutol, ethionamide, fludarabine, hydroxychloroquine, imipenem, interferon, isoniazid, lincomycins, lindane (topical), lithium, meperidine, methotrexate, metronidazole, mexiletine, nitrofurantoin, oxcarbazepine, paclitaxel, pemoline, pentostatin, pyridoxine (large amounts), quinacrine, quinidine, quinine, stavudine, tacrolimus, tetracyclines, thalidomide, vinblastine, vincristine, vindesine, zalcitabine.
Nitrates—Medicines made from a chemical with a nitrogen base. Nitrates include erythrityl tetranitrate, isosorbide dinitrate, nitroglycerin, pentaerythritol tetranitrate.
Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)—See Anti-Inflammatory Drugs, Nonsteroidal.
Nutritional Supplements—Substances used to treat and prevent deficiencies when the body is unable to absorb them by eating a well-balanced, nutritional diet. These supplements include: Vitamins—ascorbic acid, ascorbic acid and sodium ascorbate, calcifediol, calcitriol, calcium pantothenate, cyanocobalamin, dihydrotachysterol, ergocalciferol, folate sodium, folic acid, hydroxocobalamin, niacin, niacinamide, pantothenic, pyridoxine, riboflavin, sodium ascorbate, thiamine, vitamin A, vitamin E. Minerals—calcium carbonate, calcium citrate, calcium glubionate, calcium gluconate, calcium lactate, calcium phosphate (dibasic and tribasic), sodium fluoride. Other—levocarnitine, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids.
O
Opiates—See Narcotics.
Orthostatic Hypotension—Excess drop in blood pressure when arising from a sitting or lying position.
Osteoporosis—Softening of bones caused by a loss of calcium usually found in bone. Bones become brittle and fracture easily.
Ototoxic Medications—These medicines may possibly cause hearing damage. They include aminoglycosides, 4-aminoquinolines, antiinflammatory analgesics (nonsteroidal), bumetanide (injected), capreomycin, carboplatin, chloroquine, cisplatin, deferoxamine, erythromycins, ethacrynic acid, furosemide, hydroxychloroquine, quinidine, quinine, salicylates, vancomycin (injected).
Ovary—Female sexual gland where eggs mature and ripen for fertilization.
Over-the-Counter Drugs (OTC)—Drugs that are considered safe and effective for use by the general public without a doctor's prescription. Same as nonprescription drugs.
P
Pain Relievers—Non-narcotic medicines used to treat pain.
Palpitations—Rapid, forceful or throbbing heartbeat noticeable to the patient.
Pancreatitis—Serious inflammation or infection of the pancreas that causes upper abdominal pain.
Pancreatitis-associated Drugs—Medications associated with the development of pancreatitis. These include alcohol, asparaginase, azathioprine, didanosine, estrogens, furosemide, methyldopa, nitrofurantoin, sulfonamides, tetracyclines, thiazide diuretics, valproic acid.
Parkinson’s Disease or Parkinson’s Syndrome—Disease of the central nervous system. Characteristics are a fixed, emotionless expression of the face, tremor, slower muscle movements, weakness, changed gait and a peculiar posture.
Pellagra—Disease caused by a deficiency of the water-soluble vitamin thiamine (vitamin B-1). Symptoms include brain disturbance, diarrhea and skin inflammation.
Penicillin—Chemical substance (antibiotic) originally discovered as a product of mold, that can kill some bacterial germs.
Peripheral Neuropathy (Peripheral Neuritis)—Inflammation and degeneration of the nerve endings or of the terminal nerves. It most often occurs in the nerve tissue of the muscles of the extremities (arms and legs). Symptoms include pain of varying intensity and sensations of numbness, tingling and burning in the hands and feet. It can be caused by certain medications or chemicals, infections, chronic inflammation or nutritive disease.
Peripheral-neuropathy Associated Drugs—Medications that are associated with the development of peripheral neuropathy. These include chloramphenicol, cisplatin, dapsone, didanosine, ethambutol, ethionamide, fluoroquinolones, hydralazine, isoniazid, lithium, metronidazole, nitrofurantoin, nitrous oxide, phenytoin, stavudine, vincristine, zalcitabine.
P-glycoprotein Inducers—Drugs or supplements that can decrease the amount of another drug in the body’s cells. These drugs and supplements include dexamethasone, morphine, phenobarbital, rifampin, St. John’s wort, trazodone and others. Consult doctor or pharmacist about interaction.
P-glycoprotein Inhibitors—Drugs that can increase the amount of another drug in the body’s cells. The interaction may be helpful by increasing a drug’s effectiveness. The interaction may be harmful by increasing the risk of a drug’s side effects or toxicity. These drugs include amiodarone, amprenavir, clarithromycin, colchicine, cyclosporine A, daunorubicin, digoxin, diltiazem, dronedarone, erythromycin, indinavir, itraconazole, ketoconazole, loperamide, nelfinavir, nicardipine, omeprazole, paroxetine, propafenone, propranolol, quinidine, saquinavir, sertraline, tacrolimus, tamoxifen, ticagrelor, valspodar, verapamil, vinblastine and others. Consult doctor or pharmacist about interaction.
Phenothiazines—Drugs used to treat mental, nervous and emotional conditions. These drugs include acetophenazine, chlorpromazine, fluphenazine, mesoridazine, methotrimeprazine, pericyazine, perphenazine, prochlorperazine, promazine, thiopropazate, thioproperazine, thioridazine, trifluoperazine, triflupromazine.
Pheochromocytoma—A tumor of the adrenal gland that produces chemicals that cause high blood pressure, headache, nervousness and other symptoms.
Phlegm—Thick mucus secreted by glands in the respiratory tract.
Photophobia—Increased sensitivity to light as perceived by the human eye. Drugs that can cause photophobia include antidiabetic drugs, atropine, belladonna, bromides, chloroquine, ciprofloxacin, chlordiazepoxide, clidinium, clomiphene, dicyclomine, digitalis drugs, doxepin, ethambutol, ethionamide, ethosuximide, etretinate, glycopyrrolate, hydroxychloroquine, hydroxyzine, hyoscyamine, isopropamide, mephenytoin, methenamine, methsuximide, monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, nalidixic acid, norfloxacin, oral contraceptives, orphenadrine, paramethadione, phenothiazines, propantheline, quinidine, quinine, scopolamine, tetracyclines, tridihexethyl, trimethadione.
Photosensitizing Medications—Medicines that can cause abnormally heightened skin reactions to the effects of sunlight and ultraviolet light. These medicines include acetazolamide, acetohexamide, alprazolam, amantadine, amiloride, amiodarone, amitriptyline, amoxapine, antidiabetic agents (oral), barbiturates, bendroflumethiazide, benzocaine, benzoyl peroxide, benzthiazide, captopril, carbamazepine, chlordiazepoxide, chloroquine, chlorothiazide, chlorpromazine, chlorpropamide, chlortetracycline, chlorthalidone, ciprofloxacin, clindamycin, clofazimine, clofibrate, clomipramine, coal tar, contraceptives (estrogen-containing), cyproheptadine, dacarbazine, dapsone, demeclocycline, desipramine, desoximetasone, diethylstilbestrol, diflunisal, diltiazem, diphenhydramine, disopyramide, doxepin, doxycycline, enoxacin, estrogens, etretinate, flucytosine, fluorescein, fluorouracil, fluphenazine, flutamide, furosemide, glipizide, glyburide, gold preparations, griseofulvin, haloperidol, hexachlorophene, hydrochlorothiazide, hydroflumethiazide, ibuprofen, imipramine, indomethacin, isotretinoin, ketoprofen, lincomycin, lomefloxacin, maprotiline, mesoridazine, methacycline, methotrexate, methoxsalen, methyclothiazide, methyldopa, metolazone, minocycline, minoxidil, nabumetone, nalidixic acid, naproxen, nifedipine, norfloxacin, nortriptyline, ofloxacin, oral contraceptives, oxyphenbutazone, oxytetracycline, perphenazine, phenelzine, phenobarbital, phenylbutazone, phenytoin, piroxicam, polythiazide, prochlorperazine, promazine, promethazine, protriptyline, pyrazinamide, quinidine, quinine, sulfonamides, sulindac, tetracycline, thiabendazole, thioridazine, thiothixene, tolazamide, tolbutamide, tranylcypromine, trazodone, tretinoin, triamterene, trichlormethiazide, trifluoperazine, triflupromazine, trimeprazine, trimethoprim, trimipramine, triprolidine, vinblastine.
Pinworms—Common intestinal parasites that cause rectal itching and irritation.
Pituitary Gland—Gland at the base of the brain that secretes hormones to stimulate growth and other glands to produce hormones.
Platelet—Disc-shaped element of the blood, smaller than a red or white blood cell, necessary for blood clotting.
Polymyxins—A family of antibiotics that kill bacteria.
Polyp—Growth on a mucous membrane.
Porphyria—Inherited metabolic disorder characterized by changes in the nervous system and kidneys.
Post-Partum—Following delivery of a baby.
Potassium—Important chemical found in body cells.
Potassium Foods—Foods high in potassium content, including dried apricots and peaches, lentils, raisins, citrus and whole-grain cereals.
Potassium Supplements—Medicines needed by people who don’t have enough potassium in their diets or by those who develop a deficiency due to illness or taking diuretics and other medicines. These supplements include chloride; potassium acetate; potassium bicarbonate; potassium bicarbonate and potassium chloride; potassium bicarbonate and potassium citrate; potassium chloride; potassium chloride, potassium bicarbonate and potassium citrate; potassium gluconate; potassium gluconate and potassium chloride; potassium gluconate and potassium citrate; potassium gluconate, potassium citrate and ammonium; trikates.
Prescription Drug Abuse—The use of a medication without a prescription; in a way other than as prescribed; or for the experience or feeling elicited. This term is used interchangeably with "nonmedical" use, a term employed by many of the national surveys.
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)—A severe form of premenstrual syndrome which is characterized by severe monthly mood swings as well as physical symptoms that interfere with everyday life, especially a woman’s relationships with her family and friends.
Progesterone—A female steroid sex hormone that is responsible for preparing the uterus for pregnancy.
Progestin—A synthetic hormone that is designed to mimic the actions of progesterone. These include etonogestrel, hydroxy-progesterone, medroxyprogesterone, megestrol, norethindrone, norgestrel and progesterone.
Prostaglandins—A group of drugs used for a variety of therapeutic purposes. These drugs include alprostadil (treats newborns with congenital heart disease), carboprost and dinoprost (both used to induce labor) and dinoprostone (used to induce labor or to induce a late abortion).
Prostate—Gland in the male that surrounds the neck of the bladder and the urethra.
Protease Inhibitors—A class of anti-HIV drugs which inhibit the protease enzyme and stop virus replication. These drugs include: abacavir, atazanavir, darunavir, fosamprenavir, indinavir, lopinavir and ritonavir; nelfinavir, nifedipine, ritonavir, saquinavir and tipranavir.
Protein Bound Drugs—This protein is not to be confused with the protein in your food. Drugs that are highly protein bound could interact and cause an increased amount of one drug in the blood. This can increase the risk of adverse effects. These drugs include clofibrate, diazepam, diazoxide, fluoxetine, ibuprofen, indomethacin, naproxen, nonsteroida anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), raloxifene, sulfonylureas, sulfonamides, tiagabine, valproate, vilazodone, warfarin.
Prothrombin—Blood substance essential in clotting.
Prothrombin Time (Pro Time)—Laboratory study used to follow prothrombin activity and keep coagulation safe.
Psoriasis—Chronic inherited skin disease. Symptoms are lesions with silvery scales on the edges.
Psychosis—Mental disorder characterized by deranged personality, loss of contact with reality and possible delusions, hallucinations or illusions.
Purine Foods—Foods that are metabolized into uric acid. Foods high in purines include anchovies, liver, brains, sweetbreads, sardines, kidneys, oysters, gravy and meat extracts.
Q
QT Interval Prolongation-Causing Drugs—A group of drugs that can cause serious heart rhythm problems. These drugs include amiodarone, ariprazole, asenapine, azithromycin, azole antifungals, calcium channel blockers (especially bepridil), chloroquine, chlorpromazine, cisapride, clarithromycin, clozapine, dirithromycin, disopyramide, dofetilide, domperidone, dronedarone, droperidol, erlotinib, erythromycins, flecainide, fluoroquinolones, halofantrine, haloperidol, ibutilide, iloperidone, imipremine, macrolide antibiotics, maprotiline, mesoridazine, methadone, olanzapine, pentamidine, phenothiazines, piliperidone, pimozide, procainamide, quetiapine, quinidine, ranolazine, risperidone, sotalol, sparfloxacin, thioridazine, toremifene, tricyclic antidepressants, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, zisprasidone and others.
R
Rauwolfia Alkaloids—Drugs that belong to the family of antihypertensives (drugs that lower blood pressure). Rauwolfia alkaloids are not used as extensively as in years past. They include alseroxylon, deserpidine, rauwolfia serpentina, reserpine.
RDA—Recommended daily allowance of a vitamin or mineral.
Rebound Effect—The worsening or return of symptoms when a drug (such as a decongestant) is discontinued or a patient no longer responds to it.
Renal—Pertaining to the kidney.
Retina—Innermost covering of the eyeball on which the image is formed.
Retinoids—A group of drugs that are synthetic vitamin A-like compounds used to treat skin conditions. These drugs include etretinate, isotretinoin and retinoic acid.
Retroperitoneal Imaging—Special x-rays or CT scans of the organs attached to the abdominal wall behind the peritoneum (the covering of the intestinal tract and lining of the walls of the abdominal and pelvic cavities).
Reye’s Syndrome—Rare, sometimes fatal, disease of children that causes brain and liver damage.
Rickets—Bone disease caused by vitamin D deficiency. Bones become bent and distorted during infancy or childhood.
S
Salicylates—Medicines to relieve pain and reduce fever. These include aspirin, aspirin and caffeine, balsalazide, buffered aspirin, choline salicylate, choline and magnesium salicylates, magnesium salicylate, salicylamide, salsalate, sodium salicylate.
Sedatives—Drugs that reduce excitement or anxiety. They are used to produce sedation (calmness). These include alprazolam, amobarbital, aprobarbital, bromazepam, butalbital, chloral hydrate, clonazepam, clorazepate, chlordiazepoxide, diazepam, diphenhydramine, doxylamine, estazolam, ethchlorvynol, ethinamate, eszopiclone, flurazepam, glutethimide, halazepam, hydroxyzine, ketazolam, lorazepam, methotrimeprazine, midazolam, nitrazepam, oxazepam, pentobarbital, phenobarbital, prazepam, promethazine, propiomazine, propofol, quazepam, secobarbital, temazepam, triazolam, trimeprazine, zaleplon, zolpidem, zopiclone.
Seizure—A sudden attack of epilepsy or some other disease can cause changes of consciousness or convulsions.
Seizure threshold lowering drugs—Seizure threshold refers to the minimal conditions required to trigger a seizure. A number of drugs can lower the seizure threshold in susceptible patients and increase the risk for a seizure. These drugs include certain antibiotics, antiasthmatics, antidepressants, antipsychotics, phenothiazines, psychostimulants, hormones, local anesthetics, immunosuppressants, narcotics and others. Herbal remedies may also lower seizure threshold. Consult your doctor about your risks.
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)—Medications used for treatment of depression that work by increasing the serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin is a neuro- transmitter (brain chemical) having to do with mood and behavior. These drugs include fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline. More information can be found on the individual drug chart for each drug.
Serotonergics—Drugs that increase the levels of serotonin (a brain chemical). Excess serotonin can lead to serotonin syndrome (a possibly life-threatening condition). These drugs include almotriptan, amitriptyline, amphetamines, bromocriptine, buspirone, citalopram, clomipramine, desvenlafaxine, dextromethorphan, duloxetine, eletriptan, escitalopram, fenfluramine, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, frovatriptan, imipramine, levodopa, linezolid, lithium, meperidine, moclobemide, monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, naratriptan, nefazodone, paroxetine, pentazocine, rizatriptan, sertraline, sibutramine, St. John’s Wort, sumatriptan, tapentadol, tramadol, trazodone, tricyclic antidepressants, tryptophan, valproic acid, venlafaxine, vilazodone, zolmitriptan and some drugs of abuse (e.g., cocaine, LSD, ecstasy, marijuana and others). Other drugs or herbal supplements may be risk factors also. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about the safety of any drugs you are prescribed and advised them of any herbal supplements you take.
Serotonin Syndrome—A potentially very serious and life-threatening condition caused by drugs that increase serotonin levels in the brain. The syndrome can be caused by an overdose, interaction with other drugs, or rarely, with doses used in treatment. It is more likely to occur when starting a drug or increasing the dosage of a drug. Symptoms often come on quickly and progress rapidly. Symptoms may include confusion, agitation, headache, diarrhea, irritability, muscle rigidity, high body temperature, fast heart beat, rapid change in blood pressure, nausea or vomiting, poor coordination, dilated pupils, restlessness, hallucinations, overactive reflexes, sweating, shivering, tremor, and muscle twitching. More severe symptoms can include seizures, delirium, shock loss of consciousness and other major medical problems.
SGOT—Abbreviation for serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase. Measuring the level in the blood helps demonstrate liver disorders and diagnose recent heart damage.
SGPT—Abbreviation for a laboratory study measuring the blood level of serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase. Deviations from a normal level may indicate liver disease.
Sick Sinus Syndrome—A complicated, serious heartbeat rhythm disturbance characterized by a slow heart rate alternating with a fast or slow heart rate with heart block.
Sinusitis—Inflammation or infection of the sinus cavities in the skull.
Skeletal Muscle Relaxants (same as Skeletal Muscle Blockers)—A group of drugs prescribed to treat spasms of the skeletal muscles. These drugs include carisoprodol, chlorphenesin, chlorzoxazone, cyclobenzaprine, diazepam, lorazepam, metaxalone, methocarbamol, orphenadrine, phenytoin.
Sleep Inducers—Night-time sedatives to aid in falling asleep.
Sleep-Related Behaviors—Certain behaviors that can occur with the use of sedative-hypnotic drugs. The behaviors include: cooking and eating, using the telephone, having sex and sleep-driving (driving while not fully awake). Typically, the person has no memory of these actions.
Statins—See HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors.
Streptococci—A bacteria that can cause infections in the throat, respiratory system and skin. Improperly treated, can lead to disease in the heart, joints and kidneys.
Stroke—Sudden, severe attack, usually sudden paralysis, from injury to the brain or spinal cord caused by a blood clot or hemorrhage in the brain.
Stupor—Near unconsciousness.
Sublingual—Under the tongue. Some drugs are absorbed almost as quickly this way as by injection.
Sulfa Drugs—Shorthand for sulfonamide drugs, which are used to treat infections.
Sulfonamides—Sulfa drugs prescribed to treat infections. They include sulfacytine, sulfamethoxazole, sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim, sulfasalazine, sulfisoxazole.
Sulfonylureas—A family of drugs that lower blood sugar (hypoglycemic agents). Used in the treatment of some forms of diabetes.
Sympatholytics—A group of drugs that block the action of the sympathetic nervous system. These drugs include beta-blockers, guanethidine, hydralazine and prazosin.
Sympathomimetics—A large group of drugs that mimic the effects of stimulation of the sympathetic part of the autonomic nervous system. These drugs include albuterol, amphetamine, benzphetamine, bitolterol, clonidine, cocaine, dextroamphetamine, diethylpropion, dipivefrin, dobutamine, dopamine, ephedrine, epinephrine, indacaterol, ipratropium, isoproterenol, isoetharine, mazindol, mephentermine, metaproterenol, metaraminol, methoxamine, midodrine, naphazoline, norepinephrine, oxymetazoline, phendimetrazine, phentermine, phenylephrine, pirbuterol, pseudoephedrine, ritodrine, salmeterol, terbutaline, tetrahydrozoline, xylometazoline.
T
Tardive Dyskinesia—Slow, involuntary movements of the jaw, lips and tongue caused by an unpredictable drug reaction. Drugs that can cause this include haloperidol, phenothiazines, thiothixene.
Tartrazine Dye—A dye used in foods and medicine preparations that may cause an allergic reaction in some people.
Tetracyclines—A group of medicines with similar chemical structure used to treat infections. These drugs include demeclocycline, doxycycline, methacycline, minocycline, oxytetracycline, tetracycline.
Thiazides—A group of chemicals that cause diuresis (loss of water through the kidneys). Frequently used to treat high blood pressure and congestive heart failure. Thiazides include bendroflumethiazide, benzthiazide, chlorothiazide, chlorthalidone, cyclothiazide, hydrochlorothiazide, hydroflumethiazide, methyclothiazide, metolazone, polythiazide, quinethazone, trichlormethiazide.
Thiothixines—See Thioxanthenes.
Thioxanthenes—Drugs used to treat emotional, mental and nervous conditions. These drugs include chlorprothixene, flupenthixol, thiothixene.
Thrombocytopenias—Diseases characterized by inadequate numbers of blood platelets circulating in the bloodstream.
Thrombolytic Agents—Drugs that help to dissolve blood clots. They include alteplase, anistreplase, streptokinase, urokinase.
Thrombophlebitis—Inflammation of a vein caused by a blood clot in the vein.
Thyroid—Gland in the neck that manufactures and secretes several hormones.
Thyroid Hormones—Medications that mimic the action of the thyroid hormone made in the thyroid gland. They include dextrothyroxine, levothyroxine, liothyronine, liotrix, thyroglobulin, thyroid.
Tic Douloureux—Painful condition caused by inflammation of a nerve in the face.
Tolerance—A decreasing response to repeated constant doses of a drug or a need to increase doses to produce the same physical or mental response.
Toxicity—Poisonous reaction to a drug that impairs body functions or damages cells.
Tranquilizers—Drugs that calm a person without clouding consciousness.
Transdermal Patches—Medicated patches that stick to the skin. There are more and more medications in this form. This method produces a prolonged systemic effect. If you are using this form, follow these instructions: Choose an area of skin without cuts, scars or hair, such as the upper arm, chest or behind the ear. Thoroughly clean area where patch is to be applied. If patch gets wet and loose, cover with an additional piece of plastic. Apply a fresh patch if the first one falls off. Apply each dose to a different area of skin if possible.
Tremor—Involuntary trembling.
Trichomoniasis—Infestation of the vagina by trichomonas, an infectious organism. The infection causes itching, vaginal discharge and irritation.
Triglyceride—Fatty chemical manufactured from carbohydrates for storage in fat cells.
Tyramine—Normal chemical component of the body that helps sustain blood pressure. Can rise to fatal levels in combination with some drugs. Tyramine is found in many foods:
Beverages—Alcohol beverages, especially Chianti or robust red wines, vermouth, ale, beer.
Breads—Homemade bread with a lot of yeast and breads or crackers containing cheese.
Fats—Sour cream.
Fruits—Bananas, red plums, avocados, figs, raisins, raspberries.
Meats and meat substitutes—Aged game, liver (if not fresh), canned meats, salami, sausage, aged cheese, salted dried fish, pickled herring, meat tenderizers.
Vegetables—Italian broad beans, green bean pods, eggplant.
Miscellaneous—Yeast concentrates or extracts, marmite, soup cubes, commercial gravy, soy sauce, any protein food that has been stored improperly or is spoiled.
U
Ulcer, Peptic—Open sore on the mucous membrane of the esophagus, stomach or duodenum caused by stomach acid.
Urethra—Hollow tube through which urine (and semen in men) is discharged.
Urethritis—Inflammation or infection of the urethra.
Uricosurics—A group of drugs that promotes excretion of uric acid in the urine. These drugs include probenecid and sulfinpyrazone.
Urinary Acidifiers—Medications that cause urine to become acid. These include ascorbic acid, potassium phosphate, potassium and sodium phosphates, racemethionine.
Urinary Alkalizers—Medications that cause urine to become alkaline. These include potassium citrate, potassium citrate and citric acid, potassium citrate and sodium citrate, sodium bicarbonate, sodium citrate and citric acid, tricitrate.
Uterus—Also called the womb. A hollow muscular organ in the female in which the embryo develops into a fetus.
V
Valproic Acid Drugs—Anticonvulsant drugs that are used to prevent seizures in epilepsy, and as treatment for migraine and bipolar disorder. They include oral drugs divalproex and valproic acid and the injectable drug valproate.
Vascular—Pertaining to blood vessels.
Vascular Headache Preventatives—Medicines prescribed to prevent the occurrence of or reduce the frequency and severity of vascular headaches such as migraines. These drugs include atenolol; clonidine; ergotamine, belladonna alkaloids and phenobarbital; fenoprofen; flunarizine; ibuprofen; indomethacin; isocarboxazid, lithium; mefenamic acid; methysergide; metoprolol; nadolol; naproxen; phenelzine; pizotyline; propranolol; timolol, tranylcypromine, verapamil.
Vascular Headache Treatment—Medicine prescribed to treat vascular headaches such as migraines. These drugs include butalbital (combined with acetaminophen, aspirin, caffeine or codeine); cyproheptadine; diclofenac; diflunisal; dihydroergotamine; ergotamine; ergotamine and caffeine; ergotamine, caffeine, belladonna alkaloids and pentobarbital; etodolac; fenoprofen; ibuprofen; indomethacin (capsules, oral suspension, rectal); isometheptene, dichloralphenazone and acetaminophen; ketoprofen; meclofenamate; mefenamic acid; metoclopramide; naproxen; phenobarbital; triptans.
Vasoconstrictor—Any agent that causes a narrowing of the blood vessels.
Vasodilator—Any agent that causes a widening of the blood vessels.
Vertigo—A sensation of motion, usually dizziness or whirling either of oneself or one’s surroundings.
Virus—Infectious organism that reproduces in the cells of the infected host. Viruses cause many diseases in humans including the common cold.
W
Withdrawal—Symptoms that occur after chronic use of a drug is reduced abruptly or stopped.
X
Xanthines—Substances that stimulate muscle tissue, especially that of the heart. Types of xanthines include aminophylline, caffeine, dyphylline, oxtriphylline, theophylline.
Yeast—A single-cell organism that can cause infections of the mouth, vagina, skin and parts of the gastrointestinal system.