RTPC101 Drugs in Medicine

DRUGS - is a substance that alters body function.
Many drugs, described as over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, are available without a signed order,
or presciption. (Rx). Others requier a healthcare provider's precription for use.
Responsibility for the safety and efficacy of all drugs sold in the United States lies with the
Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which must approve all drugs before they are sold.
An unintended effect of a drug or any other form of treatment is a side effect.
In addition, there may be contraindications, or reasons not to use a particular drug for a
specific individual based on the person's medical conditions, current medications, sensitivity or
family history.
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While a patient is under treatment, it is important to be alert for signs of adverse effects such as
digestive upset, changes in the blood, or signs of allery, such as hives or skin rashes.
Anaphylaxis is an immediate and severe allergic reaction that may be caused by a drug. It can
lead to life-threatening respiratory distress and circulatory collapse.
Because drugs given in combination may interact, the prescriber must know of any drugs the
patient is taking before prescribing another.
In some cases, a combination may result in synergy or potentiation, meaning that the drugs
together have a greater effect than either of the drugs acting alone. But in other cases, one drug
may act as an antagonist of another, interfering with its action.
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Drugs may also react adversely with certain
foods or substances used socially, such as
alcohol or tabacco
With repeated use, a drug tolerance may

develop, whereby a constant dose has less
effect, and the dose must be increased to
produce the original response.
Cessation of the drug then leads to symptoms

of substance withdrawal, a state that results
from a drug removal or dose reduction.
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DRUG NAME
Drug names are derived in a variety of ways. Some are named for their origins.
Adrenaline, for example, is name for its souce, the adrenal gland. Even its generic name, Epineprhine.
Aspirin (an anti-inflammatory agent), Taxol (an antitumor agent), Digitalis (used to treat heart failure) and
atropine (a smooth-muscle relaxant) are all named from the plants which they come.
• Aspirin is named for the blossoms of Spirea, from which it is derived.

• Taxol comes from a yew (evergreen) of the genus Taxus.
• Digitalis is from purple foxglove, genus Digitalis.
• Atropine comes from plant Atropa belladonna.
Some names tell us about the drug or its action, the name for Humulin, a form of insulin made by genetic
engineering, points out that tis is human insulin and not a hormone from animal sources.
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Atropa
belladonna
Aspirin is named for the

blossoms of Spirea.
Yew (evergreen) of the genus

Taxus.
Purple foxglove, genus Digitalis. 6
The names of new drugs that treat cancer by boosting a person's own immune system end in
mAb/ moAb. (e.g. nivolumab)
The name Belladonna is from italian and means “fair lady”, because this drug dilates the pupils
of the eyes, thereby making women appear more beautiful.
Belladona's effect on the eyes.
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Drugs may be cited by either their generic or brand names.
The generic name is usually the simple version of the chemical name for the drug and is not
capitalized. The brand name (trade name, propietary name) is a registered trademark of the
manufacturer and is written with an initial capital letter.
Example: Tylenol is tha brand name for the analgesic compound acetaminophine; Prozac is
fluoxetine.
A brand name is protected by a patent; only the company that holds the patent name can
produce and sell that drug under its brand name until the patent expires.
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Herbal Medicine
For hundred of years, people have used plants to treat diseases, a practice described as herbal
medicine or phytomedicine.
Many people in industrialized countries are now turning to herbal products as alternatives or
complements to conventional medicines.
Some issues have arisen with the increased use of herbal medicines and nutritional
supplements, including questions about their purity, safety, concentration and efficacy.
Medications are chemicals designed to treat illness and improve quality of life. The role of
pharmacists and pharmacy technicians is to ensure that patients receive the correct
medications and the education they need to use them effectively and derive the intended health
benefits.
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Word Parts pertaining to Drugs
Meaning Example Definition of Examples
SUFFIX
-lytic dissolving, reducing, Thrombolytic agent that dissolves a blood clot.

loosening (thrombus)
-mimetic mimicking, simulating Sympathomimetic mimicking the effects of the sympathetic
nervous system.
-tropic acting on Psychotropic acting on the mind.
PREFIXES
anti- against Antiemetic drug that prevents vomiting.

contra- against, opposite, Contraceptive preventing conception.
opposed
counter- against, opposed Countertransport movement in an opposite direction.
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Word Parts pertaining to Drugs
ROOTS Meaning Example Definition of Examples
alg/o, algi/o,
algesi/o pain Algesia sense of pain.
chem/o chemical Chemotherapy treatment with drugs.
hypn/o sleep Hypnosis induced state of sleep.
narc/o stupor Narcotic agent that induces a state of stupor with
decreased sensation.
pharm, the science of preparing and dispensing
pharmac/o drug, medicine Pharmacy drugs, or the place where these
activities occur.
pyr/o, fever Antipyretic counteracting fever.
pyret/o
tox/o, toxic/o poison, toxin Toxicity state of being poisonous.
vas/o vessel Vasodilation widening of a vessel.
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Abbreviations
DRUGS Drug Formulation DRUGS Drug Formulation
APAP Acetaminophen supp Suppository

ASA Acetylsalicic acid (Aspirin) tab Tablet
ASHP Americal Society of Health System tinct Tincture
Pharmacists
cap Capsule Ung Ointment
elix Elixir USP United States Pharmacopeia
FDA Food and Drug Administration NSAID(s) Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug(s)
INH Isoniazid (antituberculosis drug) ODS Office of Dietary Supplements
MED(s) Medicine(s), medication(s) OTC Over-the-counter
Rx Prescription PDR Physician's Desk Reference
susp Suspension
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Abbreviations
Dosages and Directions Dosages and Directions
a Before (Latin, ante) IM Intramuscular

aa Of each (Greek, ana) IV Intravascular
ac Before meals (Latin, ante cibum) IU International unit
ad lib As desired (Latin, ad libitum) LA Long-acting
aq Water (Latin, aqua) mcg Microgram
bid, b.i.d Twice a day (Latin, bis in die) mg Miligram
c With (Latin, cum) mL Mililiter
DAW Dispense as written p After, post
D/C, dc Discontinue pc After meals (Latin, post cibum)
DS Double strength po, PO By mouth (Latin, per os)
hs At bedtime (Latin, hora somni) pp Postprandial (After a meal)
ID Intradermal prn As needed (Latin, pro re nata)
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Abbreviations
Dosages and Directions
qam Every morning (Latin, quaque ante

meridium)
qh Every hour (Latin, quaque hora)
q____h Every _______ hours
qid, q.i.d. Four times a day (Latin, quater in die)
s Without (Latin, sine)
SA Sustained action
SC, SQ, Subcutaneous
Subcut
SL Sublingual
SR Sustained release
ss Half (Latin, semis)
tid, t.i.d. Three times per day (Latin, ter in die)
U Unit
x Times
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DRUGS - is a substance that alters body function.

An unintended effect of a drug or any other form of treatment is a side effect.

With repeated use, a drug tolerance may

Cessation of the drug then leads to symptoms

• Aspirin is named for the blossoms of Spirea, from which it is derived.

Aspirin is named for the

Yew (evergreen) of the genus

Belladona's effect on the eyes.

-lytic dissolving, reducing, Thrombolytic agent that dissolves a blood clot.

anti- against Antiemetic drug that prevents vomiting.

APAP Acetaminophen supp Suppository

a Before (Latin, ante) IM Intramuscular

qam Every morning (Latin, quaque ante

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