Chap 21, Pharmacology, Vocabulary, Classes of Drugs & Related Terms Flashcards
ACE inhibitor
Lowers blood pressure. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors block the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II (a powerful vasoconstrictor).
amphetamine
Central nervous system stimulant.
analgesic
Relieves pain.
androgen
Male hormone.
anesthetic
Reduces or eliminates sensation; general and local.
angiotensin II receptor blocker
Lowers blood pressure by preventing angiotensin from acting on receptors in blood vessels.
antacid
Neutralizes acid in the stomach.
antiandrogen
Slows the uptake of androgens or interferes with their effect in tissues.
antiarrhythmic
Treats abnormal heart rhythms.
antibiotic
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.
anticoagulant
Prevents blood clotting.
anticonvulsant
Prevents convulsions (abnormal brain activity).
antidepressant
Relieves symptoms of depression.
antidiabetic
Drug given to prevent or treat diabetes mellitus.
antidiarrheal
Prevents diarrhea.
antiemetic
Prevents nausea and vomiting; antinauseant.
antihistamine
Blocks the action of histamine and helps prevent symptoms of allergy.
antinauseant
Relieves nausea and vomiting; antiemetic.
antiplatelet
Reduces the tendency of platelets to stick together and form a clot.
antiulcer
Inhibits the secretion of acid by cells lining the stomach.
antiviral
Acts against viruses such as herpesviruses and HIV.
aromatase inhibitor
Reduces estrogen in the blood by blocking the enzyme aromatase.
bactericidal
Kills bacteria (-cidal means able to kill).
bacteriostatic
Inhibits bacterial growth (-static means stopping or controlling).
beta-blocker
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.
bisphosphonate
Prevents bone loss in osteoporosis.
caffeine
Central nervous system stimulant (found in coffee and tea).
calcium channel blocker
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.
calcium antagonist.
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.
cardiac glycoside
Increases the force of contraction of the heart.
cardiovascular drug
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.
cathartic
Relieves constipation.
cholesterol-binding drug
Binds to dietary cholesterol and prevents its uptake from the gastrointestinal tract.
cholesterol-lowering drug
Lowers cholesterol by preventing its production by the liver; statin.
diuretic
Increases the production of uring and thus reduces the volume of fluid in the body; antihypertensive.
emetic
Promotes vomiting.
endocrine drug
A hormone or hormone-like drug. Examples are androgens, estrogens, progestins, SERMs, thyroid hormones, and glucocorticoids.
estrogen
Female hormone that promotes development of secondary sex characteristics and supports reproductive tissues.
gastrointestinal drug
Relieves symptoms of diseases in the gastrointestinal tract. Examples are antacids, antiulcer drugs, antidiarrheal drugs, cathartics, laxatives, purgatives, and antinauseants (antiemetics).
glucocorticoid
Hormone from the adrenal cortex that raises blood sugar and reduces inflammation.
hypnotic
Produces sleep or a trance-like state.
laxative
Weak cathartic.
narcotic
Habit-forming drug (potent analgesic) that relieves pain by producing stupor or insensibility; morphine and opium are examples.
progestin
Female hormone that stimulates the uterine lining during pregnancy and is also used in treatment of abnormal uterine bleeding and for hormone replacement therapy.
purgative
Relieves constipation; strong cathartic.
respiratory drug
Treats asthma, emphysema, and infections of the respiratory system. Bronchodilators are examples.
sedative
A mildly hypnotic drug that relaxes without necessarily producing sleep. Benzodiazepines are examples.
stimulant
Excites and promotes activity. Caffeine and amphetamines are examples.
thyroid hormone
Stimulates cellular metabolism.
tranquilizer
Controls anxiety and severe disturbances of behavior.
Barbiturates & benzodiazepines
are the two major categories of sedative-hypnotics.
phenothiazines
Major tranquilizer controls more severe disturbances of behavior.
Leukotriene modifiers
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.
Steroid drugs
are inhaled or given intravenously and orally to reduce chronic inflammation in respiratory passageways.
Bronchodilators
Open bronchial tubes and are administered by injection or aerosol inhalers.
GERD
gastroesophageal reflux disease
Anti-TNF (tumor necrosis factor) drugs
Used to treat autoimmune diseases such as Crohn’s. These drugs are also used against rheumatoid arthritis.
Calcitonin
A thyroid hormone (PTH) has been approved for osteoporosis treatment. This agent stimulates new bone formation.
Selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERMS)
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.
Anti-Alzheimer drugs
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.
