Chapter 22Terms in PharmacologyThierer, N. & Breitland, L. (2006) Medical

Terminology: Language for Healthcare, second edition (pp. 658-678). New York, NY:

the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Drug Sources, Types, Function, and Administration

Drugs are biological or chemical agentsThey are therapeutic when used to cure,

alleviate, diagnose or prevent illnessThey are addictive or habit-forming when

used in unregulated and/or excess quantities to stimulate or depress moods

Drugs come from: plants, animals, or chemical synthesis in laboratories

Vitamins are organic substances found in food, are also considered to be a form of drugs

Drug Sources, Types, Function, and Administration

The Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates testing, manufacturing, content and distribution of all drugs that are not part of or derived from food

United States Pharmacopeia (U.S.P.) is an independent committee that approves and set standards, that are collected, then published

Hospital Formulary are lists of drugs that are approved for patient care in that particular facility

Physician’s Desk Reference (PDR) is widely used reference manual for physicians

Drug Sources, Types, Function, and Administration

Pharmacology is the science that studies, develops, and tests drugs

Pharmacodynamics is the study of how drugs affect the body

Toxicology is the study of harmful drug effects on the body

Pharmacokinetics is the study of how drugs are absorbed, metabolized, and excreted over time

Drug Sources, Types, Function, and Administration

Over-the-counter (OTC): sold without a prescription

Prescription is an order for medications with dosages, directions, route, and timing of administration included

Pharmacist (druggist) is someone who dispenses prescription drugs from a pharmacy

Contraindications are other drugs that are advised against being taken along with another medication that is being given

Drug Sources, Types, Function, and Administration

Chemical name describes the chemical formula of the drug

Generic name is the official name of the drug

Trade, brand name is the name given and copyrighted by the manufacturer

Example: acetylsalicylic acid is the chemical name for aspirin, the generic name packaged under various trade names, such as Bayer aspirin

Dosages of drugs vary depending on age, weight, severity of symptoms, and other medications in use

Pharmacological Agents, Functions and ExamplesDrug Class Purpose Generic Trade Name

analgesic relieves pain w/o causing loss of consciousness

acetaminophen Tylenol

anesthetic produces lack of feeling either locally or generally throughout body

lidocaineprocaine

NovacaineXylocaine

antibiotic, anti-infective, antibacterial

destroys or inhibits growth of harmful microorganisms

ciprofloxacinlevofloxacinamoxicillinpenicillin

CiproLevaquinAmoxil, Wymoxvarious manufacturers

antidiabetic Lowers blood sugar or increases sensitivity

insulinglyburiderosiglitazone

Humulin, NovolinDiabeta,MicronaseAvandia

Pharmacological Agents, Functions and ExamplesDrug Class Purpose Generic Trade Name

antifungal Destroys or inhibits fungal growth

tolnaftateketoconazole

Tinactin, DesenexNizoral

antihistimine Slows allergic reactions by counteracting histimines

loratidinediphenhydraminefexofenadine

ClaritinBenadrylAllegra

nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)

Counteracts inflammations

ibuprofennaprosynCelecoxib

Advil, MotrinAleveCelebrex

antiviral Controls the growth of viral microorganisms

didanosinezidovudineamantadine

VidexAZT, RetrovirSymmetrel

**The examples are from pages 660-662 of the class text, please refer to these pages for the lists of ALL examples. You will need to know ALL examples.

Drug Sources, Types and AdministrationDrugs come in many forms: pills, liquids,

semiliquids, suppositories, lotions, creams, powders, transdermal patches, sprays, or gases.Vial- where pills are storedEnteric-coated- an easily dissolved capsule

coatingSublingually- medication to be place under

the tongueBuccally- to be placed inside the cheekOral administration- the most common

method for giving/taking pills and some liquids.

Drug Sources, Types and AdministrationTypes of liquid and semiliquid medications:

Elixir- oral liquid dissolved in alcoholTincture- topical liquid dissolved in alcoholSolution- drug dissolved in liquidSuspension- drug particles suspended in liquid that

you must shake well before administrationEmulsion- drug particles with oil or fat in the waterLozenge- drug in a candy-like base, dissolves slowly

and coats the oral pharynxSyrup- oral liquid drug in a thick solution that coats

the oral pharynx

Drug Sources, Types and AdministrationDrugs that are meant to go through the body

are systemic (able to travel through the bloodstream to affect any part of the body). Such as:Suppositories- drugs mixed in a semisolid

melting substance that are inserted into the vagina, rectum, or urethra

Topically- how lotions and creams are appliedInhalation- liquids or gases that form in tiny

droplets inhaled through an inhaler, nebulizer, or spray

Drug Sources, Types and AdministrationParenteral Administration- injection of a drug

that is done by a health care professional. Such as:Interdermal (or intercutaneous)- injection of a

needle (syringe) just beneath the outer layer of skin to check for local reactions

Subcutaneous- injection of a substance into the fatty layer of tissue below the outer portion of the skin

Intramuscular- injection of drugs deep into the muscles

Intravenous (IV)- injection of drugs through an IV tube that has been placed in the arm or hand

Drug Sources, Types and AdministrationIV Infusion- slow intravenous (IV) administration of

a drug so that fluid can be added to the bloodstream at a slow and steady rate.

Intra-cardiac- drug injected directly into the heart muscle

Intra-arterial- drug injected directly into an arteryIntraspinal- drug injected directly into spinal

spaces as in a case of severe pain or cancerIntraosseus- drug injected directly into the boneIntra-articularly- drug injected directly into a joint

Combining Forms and AbbreviationsAbbreviation Meaning Abbreviation Meaning

aa of each c with

a.c. before meals cap., caps. capsule(s)

ad up to cc., cc cubic centimeter

a.d., AD right ear comp. compound

ad lib as often as needed

cx contraindicated

AM, a.m morning DAW dispense as written

a.s, AS left ear dil. dilute

a.u., AU each ear disc., DC, dc discontinue

BID, b.i.d. twice a day disp. dispense

Combining Forms and AbbreviationsAbbreviation Meaning Abbreviation Meaning

div. divide g, gm gram

DW Distilled water gr grain, gram

dx, Dx diagnosis gtt drop

elix. elixir H hypodermic

e.m.p. as directed h. hour

ex aq. in water h.s. at bedtime

ext. extract IM intramuscular

fld. ext. fluid extraction inj injection

FUO fever of unknown origin

IV intravenous

Combining Forms and AbbreviationsAbbreviation Meaning Abbreviation Meaning

mcg microgram NSAID nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug

mEq milliequivalent N&V nausea & vomiting

mg milligram o.d., OD right eye

ml milliliter Oint., ung ointment, unguent

n., noct. night o.l. left eye

non rep. do not repeat o.s. right eye

NPO nothing by mouth

OTC over the counter

NPO p MN nothing by mouth after midnight

o.u. each eye

N.S., NS normal saline oz. ounce

Combining Forms and AbbreviationsAbbreviation Meaning Abbreviation Meaning

p post, after q.i.d. four times a day

p.c. after meals QNS quantity not sufficient

PM, p.m., P afternoon q.o.d. every other day

po by mouth q.s. sufficient quantity

PRN, p.r.n. repeat as needed

R rectal

pulv., pwdr powder Rx prescription

qam every morning s without

q.d. every day Sig. patient directions such as route & timing of med.

q.h. every hour SL sublingual

Combining Forms and AbbreviationsAbbreviation Meaning Abbreviation Meaning

sol., soln. solution syr. syrup

s.o.s. if there is need tab. tablet

sp. spirit tbsp tablespoonful

ss one-half t.i.d. 3 times a day

stat immediately TPR temperature, pulse, respirations

subc, subq, s.c. subcutaneously tsp teaspoonful

supp., suppos suppository U, u unit

susp. suspension u.d. use as directed

Sym, Sym, Sx symptom ung. ointment

Sample PrescriptionDr. Seymour Bones

123 Xray Dr.Anytown, OH 44444

Name_________________________ Date__________

Amoxil 500mg#30

1 p.o. t.i.d. until gone

Seymour Bones 0 refills

Amoxicillin 500mg (antibiotic)quantity #30 capsules

take 1 capsule by mouth 3 times a day until gone