Chap 21, Pharmacology, Vocabulary, Classes of Drugs & Related Terms

Question 1

ACE inhibitor

Answer 1

Lowers blood pressure. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors block the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II (a powerful vasoconstrictor).

Question 2

amphetamine

Answer 2

Central nervous system stimulant.

Question 3

analgesic

Answer 3

Relieves pain.

Question 4

androgen

Answer 4

Male hormone.

Question 5

anesthetic

Answer 5

Reduces or eliminates sensation; general and local.

Question 6

angiotensin II receptor blocker

Answer 6

Lowers blood pressure by preventing angiotensin from acting on receptors in blood vessels.

Question 7

antacid

Answer 7

Neutralizes acid in the stomach.

Question 8

antiandrogen

Answer 8

Slows the uptake of androgens or interferes with their effect in tissues.

Question 9

antiarrhythmic

Answer 9

Treats abnormal heart rhythms.

Question 10

antibiotic

Answer 10

Chemical substance, produced by a plant or microorganism, that has the ability to inhibit or destroy foreign organisms in the body. Examples are antifungals, cephalosporins, erythromycin, tetracycline, antituberculars, penicillins, quinolones, and sulfonamides.

Question 11

anticoagulant

Answer 11

Prevents blood clotting.

Question 12

anticonvulsant

Answer 12

Prevents convulsions (abnormal brain activity).

Question 13

antidepressant

Answer 13

Relieves symptoms of depression.

Question 14

antidiabetic

Answer 14

Drug given to prevent or treat diabetes mellitus.

Question 15

antidiarrheal

Answer 15

Prevents diarrhea.

Question 16

antiemetic

Answer 16

Prevents nausea and vomiting; antinauseant.

Question 17

antihistamine

Answer 17

Blocks the action of histamine and helps prevent symptoms of allergy.

Question 18

antinauseant

Answer 18

Relieves nausea and vomiting; antiemetic.

Question 19

antiplatelet

Answer 19

Reduces the tendency of platelets to stick together and form a clot.

Question 20

antiulcer

Answer 20

Inhibits the secretion of acid by cells lining the stomach.

Question 21

antiviral

Answer 21

Acts against viruses such as herpesviruses and HIV.

Question 22

aromatase inhibitor

Answer 22

Reduces estrogen in the blood by blocking the enzyme aromatase.

Question 23

bactericidal

Answer 23

Kills bacteria (-cidal means able to kill).

Question 24

bacteriostatic

Answer 24

Inhibits bacterial growth (-static means stopping or controlling).

Question 25

beta-blocker

Answer 25

Blocks the action of epinephrine at sites on receptors of heart muscle cells, the muscle lining of blood vessels, and bronchial tubes; antiarrhythmic, antianginal, and antihypertensive.

Question 26

bisphosphonate

Answer 26

Prevents bone loss in osteoporosis.

Question 27

caffeine

Answer 27

Central nervous system stimulant (found in coffee and tea).

Question 28

calcium channel blocker

Answer 28

Block the entrance of calcium into heart muscle and muscle lining of blood vessels; used as an antiarrhythmic, antianginal, and antihypertensive; also call calcium antagonist.

Question 29

calcium antagonist.

Answer 29

Block the entrance of calcium into heart muscle and muscle lining of blood vessels; used as an antiarrhythmic, antianginal, and antihypertensive; also called calcium channel blocker.

Question 30

cardiac glycoside

Answer 30

Increases the force of contraction of the heart.

Question 31

cardiovascular drug

Answer 31

Acts on the heart and blood vessels. This category of drug includes ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, cholesterol-lowering drugs or statins, and diuretics.

Question 32

cathartic

Answer 32

Relieves constipation.

Question 33

cholesterol-binding drug

Answer 33

Binds to dietary cholesterol and prevents its uptake from the gastrointestinal tract.

Question 34

cholesterol-lowering drug

Answer 34

Lowers cholesterol by preventing its production by the liver; statin.

Question 35

diuretic

Answer 35

Increases the production of uring and thus reduces the volume of fluid in the body; antihypertensive.

Question 36

emetic

Answer 36

Promotes vomiting.

Question 37

endocrine drug

Answer 37

A hormone or hormone-like drug. Examples are androgens, estrogens, progestins, SERMs, thyroid hormones, and glucocorticoids.

Question 38

estrogen

Answer 38

Female hormone that promotes development of secondary sex characteristics and supports reproductive tissues.

Question 39

gastrointestinal drug

Answer 39

Relieves symptoms of diseases in the gastrointestinal tract. Examples are antacids, antiulcer drugs, antidiarrheal drugs, cathartics, laxatives, purgatives, and antinauseants (antiemetics).

Question 40

glucocorticoid

Answer 40

Hormone from the adrenal cortex that raises blood sugar and reduces inflammation.

Question 41

hypnotic

Answer 41

Produces sleep or a trance-like state.

Question 42

laxative

Answer 42

Weak cathartic.

Question 43

narcotic

Answer 43

Habit-forming drug (potent analgesic) that relieves pain by producing stupor or insensibility; morphine and opium are examples.

Question 44

progestin

Answer 44

Female hormone that stimulates the uterine lining during pregnancy and is also used in treatment of abnormal uterine bleeding and for hormone replacement therapy.

Question 45

purgative

Answer 45

Relieves constipation; strong cathartic.

Question 46

respiratory drug

Answer 46

Treats asthma, emphysema, and infections of the respiratory system. Bronchodilators are examples.

Question 47

sedative

Answer 47

A mildly hypnotic drug that relaxes without necessarily producing sleep. Benzodiazepines are examples.

Question 48

stimulant

Answer 48

Excites and promotes activity. Caffeine and amphetamines are examples.

Question 49

thyroid hormone

Answer 49

Stimulates cellular metabolism.

Question 50

tranquilizer

Answer 50

Controls anxiety and severe disturbances of behavior.

Question 51

Barbiturates & benzodiazepines

Answer 51

are the two major categories of sedative-hypnotics.

Question 52

phenothiazines

Answer 52

Major tranquilizer controls more severe disturbances of behavior.

Question 53

Leukotriene modifiers

Answer 53

Recent additions to the anti-inflammatory therapy of asthma. They prevent asthma attacks by blocking leukotriene (a bronchoconstrictor) from binding to receptors in respiratory tissues.

Question 54

Steroid drugs

Answer 54

are inhaled or given intravenously and orally to reduce chronic inflammation in respiratory passageways.

Question 55

Bronchodilators

Answer 55

Open bronchial tubes and are administered by injection or aerosol inhalers.

Question 56

GERD

Answer 56

gastroesophageal reflux disease

Question 57

Anti-TNF (tumor necrosis factor) drugs

Answer 57

Used to treat autoimmune diseases such as Crohn’s. These drugs are also used against rheumatoid arthritis.

Question 58

Calcitonin

Answer 58

A thyroid hormone (PTH) has been approved for osteoporosis treatment. This agent stimulates new bone formation.

Question 59

Selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERMS)

Answer 59

Have estrogen-like effects on bone (increase in bone density) and on lipid metabolism (decrease in cholesterol levels). However, they lack estrogenic effects on uterus and breast tissue. SERMS are used to treat postmenopausal osteoporosis and breast cancer.

Question 60

Anti-Alzheimer drugs

Answer 60

used to treat symptoms of Alzheimer disease, act by aiding brain neurotransmitters (acetylcholine) or shielding brain cells from glutamate, a neurotransmitter that at high levels contributes to death of brain cells.