Medicinal Actions Flashcards
alterative
gentle nutritive elimnative agent that alters function gradually toward health
analgesic
diminishes pain
anodyne
relieves pain
anthelmintic
expels/detrsoys intestinal helminths (worms)
antibiotic
destroys the or arrests the growth of bacteria or protozoa
antiemetic
relieves N/V
antipyretic
prevents or reduces fever
antiseptic
inhibits the growth of bacteria
antispasmodic
reduces the intensity of spasticity, remor or cramps
antitussive
relieves coughing
aperient
gentle stimulant to the bowels - mild laxative
aphrodisiac
stimulates sexual desire or arousal
astringent
contracts tissue, reducing bleeding or fluid exudate
balsam
healing or soothing agent, usu made from a tree resim
bitter
stimulates gastric, pancreatic and gallbladder juices as well as motility due to its bitter taste
cardiac
exerts an effects on the heart
carminative
soothes digestive upset and helps to expel gas
cathartic
very strong laxative
cholagogue
incr the flow of bile into intestines
choleretic
incr the production of bile
corrigent
substance added to modify a medicinal preparation, usu by adding flavor
demulcent
mucilaginous substane that soothes tissue, particularly mucous membranes
depurative
cleanses and purifies the system, particularly the blood
diaphoretic
promotes perspiration
diuretic
incr the output of urine
emetic
induces vomiting
emmenagogue
promotes menstrual flow
emollient
moisturizes the skin
expectorant
promotes d/c of mucous from the lungs
galactagogue
activity of the production of milk by the mammary glands
hemostatic
stops bleeding
hypnotic
promotes sleep
hepatic
affects the liver
laxative
promotes defacation
narcotic
relieves pain and induces sleep (generally has higher toxicity)
nervine
calming or soothing to the nerves
purgative
strong laxative
restorative
restores normal physiological activity
rubefacient
local irritant that incr circulation and thus erythema
sedative
calming to the nerves w reduced alertness
stimulant
enhances a physiologic process
stomachic
has an effect on the function of the stomach
styptic
astringent that stops bleeding
tonic
strengthens an organ, organ system or whole organism
vermicide
destroys helminths
vermifuge
stimulates the explosion of helminths
vulnerary
heals wounds