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Active ingredient

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is the chemical in a medication that is known or believed to have a therapeutic effect.

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Adverse reaction

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denotes an unwanted or unexpected side effect or reaction to a medication; it may also result from an interaction among two or more medications.

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Aerosol

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is a medication dosage form that uses a gaseous substance consisting of fine liquid or solid particles.

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Allergic reaction

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denotes a sensitivity to a specific substance that is absorbed through the skin, inhaled into the lungs, swallowed, or injected.

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Allergy

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is a sensitivity of the immune system to a chemical or drug; an allergy causes symptoms ranging from rashes to more sever symptoms such as irregular breathing.

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Amphetamines

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are substances that are frequently abused as stimulant medications; they can be used to treat the medical conditions of narcolepsy and eating disorders.

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Analgesic

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refers to a substance used to relieve acute or chronic pain.

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Anaphylactic shock

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is a hypersensitivity reaction to a substance.

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Antacid

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is a substance that relieves high acid levels in the gastric (stomach) area.

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Antianxiety

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describes substances that reduce or relieve anxiety.

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Antibiotic

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is a substance used to kill or stop the growth of bacteria in the body.

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Anticoagulant

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refers to a substance that stops blood clotting (AKA blood thinner).

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Antidepressant

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is a substance that helps to maintain proper hormone balance levels to decrease depressive moods.

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Antihistamine

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refers to a substance that stops the effects of histamine release, which causes sneezing, watery eyes, and congestion.

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Antiviral

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refers to drugs that fight viral infections in the body.

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Auxiliary labels

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are placed on the medication package to provide information and instructions for use.

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Beta-blockers

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are substances used in the treatment of hypertension, angina, arrhythmia, and cardiomyopathy; they may also be used to minimize the possibility of sudden death after a heart attack.

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Blood sugar level

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is the measure of glucose (sugar) level in the bloodstream.

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Brand name

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is the proprietary name of a drug exclusive to a manufacturer for selling and distributing purposes.

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Calcium-channel blockers

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are substances used to treat and reduce hypertension (high blood pressure) and disorders that affect the blood supply to the heart; also used in the treatment of irregular heartbeat.

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Capsule

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is a solid dosage form of a medication; usually made of gelatin, which surrounds and holds fine particles of a solid or liquid.

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Chewable tablets

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are meant to be chewed instead of swallowed whole.

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Chronic

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refers to a disease or illness that has a long duration (e.g., lifetime)

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Compound

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refers to a substance made from a combination of two or more substances.

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Contagious

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refers to the time period when an infectious person can transmit a disease to another person through direct or indirect contact.

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Controlled release medication

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are released and metabolized over a period of time in the body.

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Controlled substance

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refers to a drug with a high potential for abuse; manufacturing and distribution of these substances are regulated by the federal government to limit abuse and harm.

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Cream

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is a dosage form of a medication that is a semisolid preparation, usually applied externally to soothe, lubricate, and protect.

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Cure

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is the effective treatment of a disease or illness leading to elimination of all symptoms.

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Decongestant

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refers to a substance that shrinks the mucous membranes that produce congestion.

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Diuretic

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is a substance that increases the water output in the kidneys; reduces water retention in the body.

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Dopamine

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is a neurotransmitter associated with the regulation of movement, emotions, pain, and pleasure.

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Drops

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are a liquid dosage form of medication; they are usually placed in the eye or ear.

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Electrolytes

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are salts that the body requires in its fluids; they are essential in nerve, muscle, and heart functions.

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Emulsion

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is a liquid dosage form of a mixture of two products that normally do not mix together.

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Enema

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is the process by which a medicated fluid is injected into the rectum.

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Estrogens

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are hormones produced in the ovaries; they are responsible for the development and maintenance of female secondary sex characteristics.

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Expectorants

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are substances that remove mucus from the upper respiratory system.

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Formulary

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refers to a list of preferred medications that insurance plans allow their members to get at a lower out-of-pocket expense.

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Glucagon

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is a hormone produced in the pancreas that causes the automatic release of glucose.

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Glucose

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is sugar found in the bloodstream; it is the primary energy source for bodily functions.

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Half-life

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defines the amount of time it takes for half of a substance to be broken down in the body and excreted.

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Histamine (H2) blockers

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reduce acid secretion by preventing histamine from reaching the H2 receptors.

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Immediate-release medications

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are available to the body and metabolized immediately following administration.

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Immunosuppressant

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refers to substance that are used to prevent the body from rejecting an organ transplant (also known as anti-rejection drugs).

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Inhalation

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is the administration of a medication directly into the lungs via the mouth or nose.

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Insulin

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is a hormone secreted by the pancreas that helps the body to digest sugars and starches; manufactured insulin is used when the patient's pancreas does not produce enough on its own.

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Intradermal

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denotes the administration of a medication by injection into the skin.

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Intramuscular

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refers to the administration of a medication within or into the muscle.

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Intravenous

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refers to the administration of a medication within or into a vein.

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Laxative

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is a substance that increases defecation.

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Local

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refers to a small area or single part of the body (e.g.,local anesthetic)

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Lotion

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is a liquid dosage form that contains a powdered substance in a suspension; used externally to soothe, cool, dry, and protect.

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Migraines

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are severe headaches caused by extreme changes in the blood vessels in the brain.

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Muscle relaxants

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are used to treat involuntary, painful contraction of muscles by slowing the passage of nerve signals that cause pain in the muscles.

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Narrow therapeutic range

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is the bioequivalence range of a brand-name drug and its generic counterpart where very small changes in dosage level could result in toxicity.

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Ointment

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is a semisolid (mixture of a solid and a liquid) dosage form that is applied externally to deliver medication, lubricate, and protect.

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Ophthalmic

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refers to administration of a medication through the eye.

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Opiate

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is a drug derived from the opium poppy, such as morphine and codeine.

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Oral

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refers to the administration of a medication into the mouth.

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Otic

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denotes the administration of a medication into the ear.

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Parenteral

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denotes the administration of medication by any route other than oral; administration by injection.

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Patch

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is a dosage form in which the medication is delivered through a solid application applied to the skin and absorbed into the bloodstream.

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Placebo

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is a pill-like preparation that contains no active chemical ingredients; usually given for its psychological effects (also known as a sugar pill).

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Progestins

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are female reproductive hormones; they cause menstruation as they trigger the shedding of the uterine lining.

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Proton pump inhibitors

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are substances that reduce gastric acid buildup by blocking the release of protons in the stomach.

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Psychotherapeutic drugs

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are substances used to relieve they symptoms of mental and psychiatric illnesses, such as depression, psychosis, and anxiety.

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Psychotropic

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denotes a substance that affects a person's ability to distinguish the real from the imaginary.

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Rectally

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refers to administration of a solid or liquid medication given through the rectum.

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Sedatives

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relieve anxiety and tension, calm, and relax the patient.

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Side effects

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are predicted, unwanted reactions to a substance or combination of substances.

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Sterilize

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means to cleanse (objects, wounds, burns, and so on) of microorganisms such as bacteria.

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Subcutaneous

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refers to the administration of a medication given under the skin.

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Sublingual tablet

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is a tablet that is dissolved under the tongue instead of being swallowed whole.

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Suppository

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denotes administration through the vagina or rectum of a solid medication.

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Suspension

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is a liquid form in which the solid particles are not completely dissolved.

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Syrup

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is a liquid dosage for that consists of water and sugar mixed with the medication.

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Tablet

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is a solid dosage form in which the ingredients are compacted into a small, formed shape.

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Topical

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refers to a substance used externally for relief of swelling, itching, or infection.

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Transdermal

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refers to administration of a medication through the skin (e.g.,the skin).

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Vasodilator

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is a substance that causes the blood vessels to widen.

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