PharDose Appendix A
Definitions of Selected Drug Categories
A
Abortifacient for abortion
Abradant removes external layer (dental plaque)
Absorbent takes up other chemicals into its substance
ACE Inhibitor treats hypertension
Acidifier
[systemic] lowers internal body pH
[urinary] lowers the pH of renal filtrate & urine
Adrenergic sympathomimetic drug
Adrenocorticosteroid
[anti-inflammatory] regulates organic
metabolism ; glucocorticoid
[salt-regulating] regulate Na/K balance in body;
mineralocorticoid
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone stimulates adrenal cortex
Adsorbent binds other chemicals
Agonist activates physiological receptors & induces
biological response
Alcohol-Abuse Deterrent alters physiology, unpleasant
symptoms follow
ingestion of ethanol products
Aldehyde Dehydrogenase Inhibitor blocks conversion of
acetaldehyde to
acetic acid
Alkanizer
[systemic] raises the internal body pH
Alkylating Agent antineoplastic drug that attacks
malignant cells
Alpha Glucosidase Inhibitor blocks the digestion of carbs
to simple sugars
Alpha Receptor Agonist activates sympathetic nervous
system
Alpha Receptor Antagonist reacts asymptomatically with
SNS
Amebicide treat amoebozoa infections
Anabolic Steroid treat catabolic disorders
Analeptic CNS stimulant & stimulate respiration
Analgesic suppresses pain perception
Androgen hormone that maintains & stimulates male
reproductive func
Anesthetic
[general] eliminates pain perception by inducing
unconsciousness
[local] eliminates pain perception in a limited
body area
[topical] effective upon application ; mucous
membranes
Anorexiant reduce appetite
Anorexic suppresses appetite
Antacid neutralizes excess gastric acid
Antagonist reacts asymptomatically w/ physiological
receptors
Anthelmintic eradicates intestinal worm infestations
Antiacne Agent combats lesions of acne vulgaris
Antiadrenergic inhibits response to sympathetic nerve
impulses
Antiamebic kills or inhibits protozoan parasites
Antiandrogen inhibits response to androgenic hormones
Antianemic treat anemia
Antianginal treat attacks of angina pectoris
Antiarrhythmic cardiac depressant; suppress rhythm
irregularities
Antiarthritic reduces joint inflammation
Antibacterial kills or inhibit pathogenic bacteria
Antibiotic kill or inhibit bacterial & infections
Anticholesterol Agent lowers plasma cholesterol level
Anticholinergic inhibits response to parasympathetic
nerve impulses
B
Barbiturate sedative-hypnotic drug w/ barbituric acid
moiety
Belladonna Alkaloid anticholinergic action (atropa
belladonna plant)
Benzodiazepine sedative-anxiolytic-muscle relaxant drug
Beta Receptor Agonist activates sympathetic nervous
system beta
receptors
Beta Receptor Antagonist drug that reacts
asymptomatically w/ SNS
Bisphosphonate to prevent the loss of bone mass
Bone Metabolism Regulator slows calcium turnover in
bone
treat Pagets disease
Bronchodilator expands bronchiolar airways & treat
asthma
D
Decongestant
[nasal] adrenergic drug; induce vasoconstriction
Demulcent bland viscous liquid; coat & soothe
damaged/inflamed skin
Dental Caries Prophylactic reduce the incidence of
cavities
Dentin Desensitizer reduce the sensitivity of exposed
subenamel dentin
Depigmenting Agent inhibits melanin production
Detergent emulsifying agent cleanser
Diagnostic Aid determine the presence of a disease
Digestive Aid promotes digestion
Disinfectant destroys microorganisms; sterilizing
inanimate objects
Diuretic promotes renal excretion of electrolytes & water;
treat edema
Dopamine Receptor Agonist activates dopamine
receptors
F
Fecal Softener promotes defecation by softening the
feces
Fertility Agent promotes ovulation in women or
spermatogenesis in men
Fibronolytic Proteolytic hydrolyze the exudates of
infected & inflammatory
lesions
H
Heavy Metal Antagonist antidote to toxic metal poisoning
Hematinic promotes hemoglobin formation
Hematopoietic stimulates the formation of blood cells;
treat vitamindeficiency anemia
Hemorheologic Agent improves the flow properties of
blood
Hemostatic
[local] to promote clotting (bleeding surface)
[systemic] stops bleeding (systemic fibrinolysis)
Histamine H1 Receptor Antagonist antihistamine
Histamine H2 Receptor Antagonist treat peptic &
duodenal ulcers
HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitor inhibits the rate-controlling
enzyme of the
mevalonate pathway
Hormone duplicates the action of a physiological cell
regulator
Hydantoin antiepileptic drug w/ hydantoin moiety
Hydrolytic, injectable promotes the diffusion of other
injected drugs
Hyperglycemic elevates blood glucose level
Hypnotic CNS depressant, induce sleep
Hypoglycemic condition of low blood sugar
Hypotensive
Immunizing Agent
[active] permanent but delayed protection
against infection
[passive] immediate but temporary protection
against infection
Immunoglobulin- antibody protein from blood serum;
confer passive immunity
Immunosuppressant suppress rejection of tissue grafts
Inotropic Agent increases strength of heart muscle
Ion Exchange Resin drug in GIT that takes up ions
present in a toxic amt
Irritant
[loca] induce a milk inflammatory response
K
Keratolytic toughens & protects skin
M
Mao Inhibitor
Metal Complexing Agent binds metal ions; treat metal
poisoning
Mineralocorticoid regulates Na/K balance
Miotic induce constriction of the pupil
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor increases catecholamine
levels of neurons
Monoclonal Antibody highly specific immunoglobulin
Mucolytic reducing the viscosity of pulmonary mucus
Muscle Relaxant
[skeletal] inhibits contraction of voluntary
muscles
[smooth] inhibits contraction of visceral smooth
muscles
Mydriatic induce dilation of the pupil
O
Opioid
Opioid Antagonist
Ovulation Stimulator stimulates hormones to release an
egg
Oxytocic stimulates uterine motility; initiate labor or
control postpartum
hemorrhage
R
Radiographic Agent
Radiopaque Agent help diagnose certain medical
diseases
Radiopharmaceutical w/ radioactive isotope
Rauwolfia Alkaloid antihypertensive/antipsychotic
(Rauwolfia serpentina)
Resin, electrolyte removing
Respiratory Stimulant increase action of the respiratory
system
Retinoic Acid Derivative derivative of vit A
Reverse COMT Inhibitor inhibits the action of catechol-Omethyltransferase
Rubefacient induces mild irritation w/ erythema;
toughening agent
T
Thiazide Diuretic diuretic w/ benzothiadiazide moiety
Thrombolytic to solubilize blood blots
Thyroid Hormone maintains metabolic functions &
normal metabolic rate
Topically Acting Drug applied to body surface for local
therapeutic action
Toxoid modified antigen from an infectious organism
(vaccine)
Trace Element chem element required by living
organisms
Tranquilizer suppress an acutely disturbed emotional
state
[minor] anxiolytic drug
Tricyclic Antidepressant antidepressant w/ tricyclic
phenothiazine nucleus
Tuberculostatic
V
Vaccine induce active immunity against an infectious
disease
Vasoconstrictor narrows arterioles to elevate blood
pressure
Vasodilator
[coronary] expands blood vessels in the heart;
treat angina
pectoris
[peripheral] expands peripheral blood vessels,
expands blood flow
Vasopressor constrict arterioles & elevate arterial blood
pressure
Vesicant blistering agent
Vinca Alkaloid antineoplastic (Vinca rosea)
Vitamin organic chemical; supplement the vitamin
content of foods