PHARMACOLOGY DICTIONARY

 

PHARMACOLOGY DICTIONARY

Pharmacology, as a field of study, involves a variety of terms that describe concepts, mechanisms, and processes related to the actions of drugs. Here is a list of some common terms used in pharmacology:

1. Drug:
   • A substance that produces a physiological effect when introduced into the body.
2. Pharmacokinetics:
   • The study of how drugs are absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted by the body.
3. Pharmacodynamics:
   • The study of the biochemical and physiological effects of drugs and their mechanisms of action.
4. Half-life:
   • The time it takes for the concentration of a drug in the body to decrease by half.
5. Bioavailability:
   • The proportion of a drug that enters the bloodstream when introduced into the body, often expressed as a percentage.
6. Agonist:
   • A drug that binds to a receptor and activates it, producing a biological response.
7. Antagonist:
   • A drug that blocks the action of an agonist, inhibiting or reversing its effects.

 

 

1. Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR):
   • An unintended and undesirable effect resulting from the use of a drug.
2. Placebo:
   • A substance with no therapeutic effect, often used in clinical trials as a control.
3. Therapeutic Index (TI):
   • The ratio of the toxic dose to the therapeutic dose of a drug, indicating the margin of safety.
4. Tolerance:
   • The decreased responsiveness to a drug that develops with continued use.
5. Withdrawal:
   • The physiological and psychological symptoms that occur when a drug-dependent individual stops taking the drug.
6. Synergy:
   • The interaction of two or more drugs to produce an effect that is greater than the sum of their individual effects.
7. Pharmacogenetics:
   • The study of how genetic variations influence an individual’s response to drugs.
8. Placebo Effect:
   • The psychological and physiological responses that occur when a patient believes they are receiving treatment, even if the treatment has no therapeutic value.
9. Route of Administration:
   • The way a drug is introduced into the body, such as oral, intravenous, or topical administration.

 

 

1. Receptor:
   • A specific molecular site on the surface or inside a cell where a drug binds to produce its effects.
2. Side Effect:
   • A secondary, usually undesirable effect of a drug that occurs in addition to the intended therapeutic effect.
3. Over-the-Counter (OTC):
   • Drugs that can be purchased without a prescription.
4. Off-label Use:
   • The use of a drug for a purpose not approved by regulatory authorities.
5. Placebo-controlled Trial:

A type of clinical trial where one group of participants receives the active drug, while another group receives a placebo, serving as a control to assess the true effects of the drug.

22. Pharmacodynamics:

• The study of the biochemical and physiological effects of drugs and their mechanisms of action within the body.

23. Placebo Response:

• The positive effect that occurs in a patient after receiving a placebo, often attributed to the patient’s belief in the efficacy of the treatment.

 

 

 

24. Polypharmacy:

• The concurrent use of multiple medications by a patient, which may lead to potential drug interactions or adverse effects.

25Receptor Affinity:

• The strength of the binding between a drug and its specific receptor, influencing the drug’s efficacy.

26. Pharmacogenetic Testing:

• Genetic testing to identify variations in genes that may affect an individual’s response to specific drugs.

27. Topical Administration:

• Application of a drug directly to the skin or mucous membranes, often in the form of creams, ointments, or patches.

28. Drug Metabolism:

• The process by which the body transforms drugs into metabolites, often occurring in the liver.

29. Pharmacokinetic Interaction:

• Interaction between drugs that affects their absorption, distribution, metabolism, or excretion within the body.

30. Chirality:

• The property of a drug molecule having a mirror image that cannot be superimposed onto the original structure. This can influence a drug’s pharmacological properties.

31. Pharmacogenomic Testing:

• The use of genomic information to predict an individual’s response to a particular drug, aiding in personalized medicine.

32. Combination Therapy:

• The use of two or more drugs concurrently to enhance therapeutic efficacy or reduce the risk of resistance.

33. Teratogenicity:

• The potential of a drug to cause birth defects or developmental abnormalities when used during pregnancy.

34. Drug Biotransformation:

• The conversion of a drug into its metabolites through chemical reactions, typically in the liver.

 

 

35. Tachyphylaxis:

• A rapid decrease in response to a drug following its administration, often requiring an increased dose to maintain the same effect.

36. Adherence:

• The extent to which a patient follows a prescribed drug regimen, including proper dosage and timing.

37. Volume of Distribution:

• The theoretical volume that would be required to contain the total amount of a drug in the body at the same concentration observed in the blood.

38. Chemotherapy:

• The use of drugs to treat cancer by inhibiting the growth and division of rapidly dividing cells.

39. Pharmacopeia:

• A comprehensive reference book containing information on drugs, their properties, and preparation methods.

40. Antipyretic: