| AIDS | – acquired immune deficiency syndrome |
| ATP | – adenosine triphosphate |
| BAL | – British Anti-Lewisite |
| BMA | – British Medical Association |
| BMJ | – British Medical Journal |
| CJD | – Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease |
| COSHH | – Control of Substances Hazardous to Health |
| CSM | – Committee on Safety of Medicines |
| DDT | – dicophane, a powerful insecticide |
| DNA | – deoxyribonucleic acid |
| DNP | – dinitrophenol |
| DOH | – Department of Health |
| DVT | – deep vein thrombosis |
| FAO | – Food and Agriculture Organization (United Nations) |
| FDA | – Food and Drug Agency |
| GBH /GHB | – gamma-hydroxybutyrate |
| HDL | – high density lipoprotein |
| HIV | – human immunodeficiency virus |
| IUD | – intrauterine device |
| IVF | – in vitro fertilisation |
| LDL | – low density lipoprotein |
| LSD | – lysergic acid diethylamide |
| MCA | – Medicines Control Agency |
| MDMA | – methylenedioxymethamphetamine |
| ME | – myalgic encephalomyelitis |
| MHRA | – Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency |
| MIC | – methyl isocyanate |
| NHS | – National Health Service |
| NSAID | – non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug |
| PABA | – para-aminobenzoic acid |
| PCB | – polychlorinated biphenyl |
| PKU | – phenylketonuria |
| RNA | – ribonucleic acid |
| SMON | – sub-acute myelo-optic neuropathy |
| SSRI | – selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor |
| TCDD | – 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin |
| TNT | – trinitrotoluene |
| TPN | – total parenteral nutrition |
| VLDL | – very low density lipoprotein |
| WHO | – World Health Organization |