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Pharmacology Glossary

Terms in this set (152)

acquired disease
any disease triggered by external factors and not directly caused by a person's genes
active transport
the active (energy-requiring) movement of a substance between different tissues via biomolecular pumping mechanisms contained within cell membranes
addiction
strong psychologic or physical dependence on a drug or other psychoactive substance
additive effects
drug interactions in which the effect of a combination of two or more drugs with similar actions is equivalent to the sum of the individual effects of the same drugs given alone (1+1=2) compare with synergistic effects
adherence
Implementation or fulfillment of a prescriber's or caregiver's prescribed course of treatment or therapeutic plan by a patient. Same thing as compliance.
adverse drug event
any undesirable occurrence related to administering or failing to administer a prescribed medication
adverse drug reaction
any unexpected, unintended, undesired, or excessive response to a medication given at therapeutic dosages (as opposed to overdose)
adverse effects
a general term for any undesirable effects that are a direct response to one or more drugs.
affective domain
the most intangible component of the learning process. Affective behavior is conduct that expresses feelings, needs, beliefs, values, and opinions
agonist
a drug that binds to and stimulates the activity of one or more receptors in the body
alleles
the two or more alternative forms of a gene that can occupy a specific locus (location) on a chromosome
allergic reaction
an imunologic hypersensitivity reaction resulting from the unusual sensitivity of a patient to a particular medication; a type of adverse drug event
alternative medicine
herbal medicine, chiropractic, acupuncture, reflexology, and any other therapies traditionally not emphasized in Western medical schools but popular with many patients
amphetamine
a drug that stimulates the central nervous system
antagonist
a drug that binds to and inhibits the activity of one or more receptors in the body. Antagonists are also called inhibitors.
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