Descriptionary

nitroglycerin a vasodilator used in episodes of severe angina to open blood vessels and help restore blood flow to the heart.

OD an overdose; to overdose.

opiate any one of various drugs derived from opium, such as morphine and codeine.

opium an extract of the poppy flower, a powerful and addictive narcotic used for painkilling and sedation.

OTC over-the-counter; available without a doctor's prescription.

overdose an excessive dose of medicine, causing ill effects or even death.

palliative any medicine that relieves symptoms but does not cure the underlying illness.

panacea a mythical cure-all.

patent medicine any trademarked medication that can be purchased without a doctor's prescription.

penicillin a broad-spectrum antibiotic.

pharmaceutical any drug or medication available at a pharmacy.

pharmacology the study and science of drugs and their effects on the body.

pharmacopoeia a book containing information on drugs and their ingredients, their preparation, their proper dosages, etc.

pharmacy a drugstore.

phenobarbital a barbiturate with a sedative effect, used to treat anxiety and insomnia.

physic a laxative.

placebo a sham pill or treatment that, presented as real medicine, often has measurable, curative effects, used in double-blind medical studies to test the effi­cacy of authentic medications.

polio vaccine either the Sabin (live virus) or the Salk (dead virus) vaccine, to prevent polio.

poultice a folk remedy composed of a warm, moist dressing made from meal, bread, clay, or other sub­stance and applied to soothe an aching or inflamed body part.

prednisone a synthetic steroid used in the treatment of allergies and rheumatic diseases.

prescription

a doctor's written order to a pharmacy for a medication.

procaine a local anesthetic known more widely by its trade name, Novocain.

prophylactic any agent that prevents disease, such as a vaccine. Also, a condom.

psychedelic more often known as an hallucinogenic, any substance that causes altered states of conscious­ness and may cause hallucinations.

psychoactive any drug that affects the mind, think­ing processes, mood, etc.

purgative a laxative.

quinine drug used in the treatment of malaria.

Sabin vaccine see polio vaccine.

St.-John's-wort the yellow-flowered Hypericum plant, an extract of which has been shown to relieve mild to moderate depression.

Salk vaccine see polio vaccine.

sedative any drug used to relieve anxiety or induce sleep.

sodium barbital a sedative.

soporific any drug that induces sleep.

steroid any of various hormones, including corti­sone, progesterone, the male hormone androgen, andthe female hormone estrogen, synthetic versions of which are used in hormone replacement therapy and in muscle building.

stimulant any substance that excites the central ner­vous system and increases alertness, such as caffeine.

streptokinase a bacteria-produced enzyme used to break up artery-clogging blood clots, especially in cases of myocardial infraction and pulmonary embolism.

streptomycin a broad-spectrum antibiotic, espe­cially used in the treatment of tuberculosis.

sulfa drug any one of various drugs derived from sulfanilamide, used to treat a broad range of infec­tions, such as those involved in conjunctivitis, bron­chitis, leprosy, malaria, dysentery, gastroenteritis, and urinary infections, by preventing the growth of bacte­ria. Also known as a sulfonamide.

sulfonamide see sulfa drug.

synergist

any medicine that produces a more pow­erful effect when combined with another medicine.

tetracycline any one of various bacteria-derived antibiotics used to treat a wide range of bacterial infections, including syphilis.

tolerance the decline of a drug's effectiveness in a patient over time, causing the need for higher dosages.

topical applied to a localized area outside the body, such as the skin.

tranquilizer any drug used to relieve anxiety and induce sleep.

troche a lozenge.

vaccine any inoculation administered to prevent a disease.

valerian a plant-derived sedative.

vasoconstrictor any drug that narrows the blood vessels, used to maintain or raise blood pressure dur­ing shock or surgery.

vasodilator any drug that widens the blood vessels, causing an increase in blood flow, used to improve circulation and to treat angina.

vermicide any drug used to destroy worms in the intestines.

vitamin any one of various substances, derived from plant and animal products, essential for the body's health and functioning.

warfarin an anticoagulant used to help prevent embolism.