Pharmacology Flashcards
Pharmacology
The study of the nature, preparation, administration, and effects of drugs
Prescription
A written order from a licensed medical doctor or dentist to a pharmacist
Chemical name
Is the main ingredient of the medication.
Eg the chemical name for ibuprofen is 2-(4-isobutylphnyl) propanoic acid
Generic name
Usually the shortened for of the chemical name
Eg ibuprofen
Brand name
Controlled by business firms and have registered trademarks
Eg. Benadryl
The superscription
Includes the symbol Rx - Latin abbreviation for the word recipe. It means “take thou”.
Is an order for the pharmacist to dispense the drug(s) listed to the client.
Inscription
The body of the prescription, which includes the name of the drug and the strength.
Eg. The drug is Fiorinal and the strength is 325 mg.
Subscription
Contains the volume and the amount of the drug to be dispensed.
It will often include the word “dispense” followed by a number or a total volume.
Eg. 24 capsules
Signature
Comes from the Latin word signa, meaning “mark a label”
It includes specific instructions on how the preparation is to be used by the client.
Refill information
Must be noted by the prescribing dentist to indicate the number of refills permitted.
aa
Ana
Of each
a.c.
Ante cibum
Before meals
AD
Auris dextra
Right ear
AS
Auris sinistra
Left ear
b.i.d.
Bis in die
Twice daily
c
Cum
With
caps
Capsule
disp
Dispense
dtd
Give this number
et
And
ext
External use
gtt
Gutta
Drop
hs
Hora somni
Hour of sleep (bedtime)
M ft
Make
mitt#
Give this number
mL
Milliliter
OD
Oculus dexter
Right eye, or overdose
OS
Oculus sinister
Left eye
p.c.
Post cibum
After meals
p.o.
Per os
By mouth
p.r.n.
Pro re nata
As needed
q
Quaque
Every
q.d.
Quaque die
Once a day
q.i.d.
Quarter in die
Four times daily
Sig.
Signa
Label as follows
sl
Sublingual (under the tongue)
SOB
Shortness of breath
stat
Statim
At once, first dose
q.2h
Every two hours
Rx
Recipere
Take thou
t.i.d.
Ter in die
Three times daily
Analgesics
An (without) algesia (pain)
Drugs used to relieve pain. May be narcotics or non-narcotics. Can be habit-forming.
Eg. Tylenol, Aspirin, Morphine, Codeine.
Anesthetics
An (without) asthesia (feeling)
Agents that reduce or eliminate sensation. Affects a particular region of the body and is the most common type of pain control used in dentistry.
Eg. Xylocaine, Novocaine.
Antibiotics
Anti (against) bio (life)
Chemical substances produced by a microorganism that inhabit or stop the growth of bacteria, fungi, or parasites.
Antihistamines
Drugs that block the action of a histamine, which is released during an allergic reaction.
Eg. Benadryl
Vasoconstrictors
Narrow blood vessels to raise blood pressure and are commonly used in cardiac or realities failure.
Eg. Epinephrine
Vasodilators
Open or dilate blood vessels to reduce blood pressure and slow the heartbeat.
Eg. Nitroglycerin
Anticoagulants
Drugs that prevent the clotting of blood or break up clots in blood vessels.
Eg. Coumadin (sodium warfarin)
Anticonvulsants
Prevent or reduce the severity of convulsions in various types of epilepsy.
Eg. Dilantin (phenytoin)
Sedatives
Drugs that calm nervousness and anxiety by depressing the central nervous system. These include hypnotic that induce sleep.
Eg. Xanax, Valium
Stimulants
Act on the brain to speed up vital processes in cases of shock or collapse.
Caffeine is contained in many drugs that construct the cerebral blood vessels
Eg. Ritalin
Tranquilizers
Useful in controlling anxiety by calming certain areas of the brain, while permitting the rest of the brain to function normally.
Eg. Phenothiazine
Oral
By mouth (p.o.)
In the form of pill, tablet, capsule or liquid.
Most common and safest method, however, it produces a slower response time than other methods.
Sublingual
Under the tongue
Inhalant
Breathing in a gaseous substance.
One of the fastest routes of absorption.
Rectal
Inserted into the rectum in suppository form.
This route is used when slow absorption of the drug through the colon walls is required.
Sometimes used on unconscious or mentally ill patients.
Topical
Applied to the surface of the skin or mucous membranes.
More slowly absorbed than other routes
Parenteral
By injection.
An injection under the skin is called Subcutaneous.
Injection into a muscle is an intramuscular (IM)
Injection into a vein is intravenous (IV) - the most rapid route of all methods
Parenteral produces rapid and predictable results and is used in emergencies, but is expensive, and requires skill to administer
Transdermal
Through the skin.
Patches allow controlled, continuous release of medication.
Convenient and easy to use.
Skin irritation may occur and site of application may need to be changes from time to time.
Additive action
The combination of two similar drugs is equal to the sum of the effects of each.
Cumulative action
After administration of certain drugs, concentrations of them or their toxic effect may increase with each dose.
Some drugs are not quickly
Eliminated from the body.
Idiosyncrasy
This is an unexpected or peculiar reaction that may appear in the client following administration of a drug.
Synergism.
When two drugs are combined, the effect is greater than if they were given alone.
Tolerance
A client withstands that normal dose and the effects diminish as treatment goes on.
Larger doses must be given to maintain the desired effect.
Antagonism
Drugs that are combined to have an undesirable effect
Hypersensitivity
The body will produce antibodies for protection.
Intolerance
This is a reaction greater than expected from a normal or small dose.
Side effect
An unavoidable effect may result from taking an average dose of a drug
Addiction
Excessive and continued use of habit-forming drugs.
A person who physically depends on a drug builds a tolerance to it and requires larger doses.
Habituation
A a psychological desire to keep using a drug
Drug abuse
Abuse can involve misuse of prescription or illegal drugs
Premedication
Medicine given in advance of treatment.
It may be administered to relieve anxiety of an apprehensive client.
