MEDICINE CHEST
acetaminophen a pain reliever and fever reducer. Adrenalin see epinephrine.
aloe vera a plant whose leaves contain a gel that is proven to soothe and help heal burns.
amoxicillin a broad-spectrum antibiotic.
ampicillin a broad-spectrum antibiotic.
334 MEDICINE analgesic any pain reliever.
anesthetic any one of various agents used to dampen or eliminate pain sensation, some of which can also be used to bring about unconsciousness.
angiogenesis inhibitor any drug that inhibits the growth of tumors by attacking their ability to produce new blood vessels.
anodyne a pain reliever.
antacid any agent used to neutralize acid in the stomach.
antagonist a drug that interferes with or counteracts another drug.
antibiotic a widely used medicine of various forms, such as penicillin or the tetracyclines, derived from fungi or bacteria, that kills or inhibits the growth of some infectious microorganisms.
antibody a protein produced by the body's immune system to fight off foreign substances such as bacteria or viruses.
anticoagulant a substance used to inhibit blood clotting.
anticonvulsant a drug that prevents seizures or convulsions.
antidepressant any of a variety of drugs used to treat depression, such as Prozac or Zoloft.
antidote any agent administered to neutralize poison.
antiemetic a drug that prevents vomiting.
antigen any foreign substance, such as bacteria, viruses, or toxins, that triggers a response from the immune systems, which produces antibodies as a defense.
antihistamine drug that blocks the body's release of histamine, used to control allergic reactions.
antipruritic an itch reliever.
antipyretic a fever reducer.
antiseptic inhibiting the growth of germs.
antispasmodic drug that controls or prevents muscle spasms.
antitussive a cough suppressant.
antivenin an antidote to animal poison, such as from a snakebite.
aphrodisiac fantasy agent that heightens sex drive.
aspirin common pain reliever and fever reducer that is also used to prevent heart attacks or reduce the severity of a heart attack in progress.
astringent an agent that constricts tissue and slows the flow of blood.
AZT azidothymidine, a drug used to combat the symptoms of AIDS.
bactericide any agent that kills bacteria.
bacteriostat any agent that inhibits the growth of bacteria.
barbiturate a drug that depresses the central nervous system and induces sedation or sleep.
benzocaine a topical or local anesthetic.
beta-blocker drug that inhibits the excitability of the heart to help treat angina, hypertension, and arrhythmia.
bicarbonate of soda baking soda, used as an antacid.
booster shot a second vaccination administered several months or years after an original one to prevent immunity levels from dropping.
botox botulinum toxin; derived from a deadly poison, a substance most commonly injected into the forehead to relax contracted muscles and consequently reduce wrinkles. It is also used to combat headache and back pain and to help control involuntary muscle spasms.
broad-spectrum capable of fighting a wide array of microorganisms.
bronchodilator any drug, often in the form of an inhalant, that relaxes bronchial smooth muscle and opens airways during an asthma attack or allergic reaction.
camphor a substance used in liniments and in treatments for flatulence.
capsicum red pepper, used as a topical analgesic and an expectorant.
castor oil a laxative.
cathartic a laxative.
catholicon a panacea, or cure-all.
chloroform formerly used as an anesthetic, now in treatments for flatulence and as a liniment.
codeine a painkiller and cough suppressant derived from morphine.
cortisone a steroid hormone used in various diseases, such as Addison's disease.
cortisone injection an injection of cortisone to treat inflammation, especially in joints.
cytotoxin a drug that inhibits cell division and is effective in slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells.
decongestant any agent used to relieve nasal congestion.
depressant any drug that depresses the central nervous system and produces a sedative effect.
diazepam popular tranquilizer and muscle relaxant, known more widely by its trade name, Valium.
digitalis derived from foxglove, a heart stimulant used to treat heart failure.
disinfectant any cleaning agent used to destroy bacteria or other microorganisms.
diuretic any drug that increases the output of urine, used to reduce edema.
DPT a vaccination against diphtheria, whooping cough, and tetanus, commonly administered during childhood.
dressing a bandage or other protective wrapping, applied with or without medication to a wound.
echinacea extract of the purple coneflower, used to boost immunity and help lessen the severity of colds.
elixir a mixture containing alcohol or glycerine, used to mask the taste of a bitter or foul-tasting medicine.
emetic any agent used to induce vomiting.
ephedrine a bronchodilator used in the treatment of asthma and allergies.
epinephrine a naturally occurring hormone released by the adrenal glands during stress to increase heart rate and blood pressure; its synthesized version (Adrenalin) is used as a heart stimulant and broncho- dilator and is commonly carried by those with severe allergies to prevent anaphylaxis.
erythromycin an antibiotic used to fight staph and strep infections.
expectorant a cough medicine.
general anesthetic a surgical anesthetic that renders a patient unconscious.
germicide any agent that kills microorganisms.
ginkgo an extract from the leaves of the gingko tree, noted for improving mental performance by increasing blood flow to the brain.
ginseng a natural plant product to boost energy levels.
hypnotic any sedative or sleep-inducer.
ibuprofen a pain reliever and anti-inflammatory agent.
immunosuppressant any drug that suppresses the immune system, used to prevent the body rejecting transplanted tissues and organs.
insulin a pancreatic hormone that regulates blood sugar levels, the manufactured version of which is used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus.
interferon a natural cell protein that helps to prevent a virus from replicating.
iodine an antiseptic used to dress wounds.
ipecac a plant extract given in the form of syrup to induce vomiting.
kava a natural root extract believed to relieve tension.
laxative any substance used to purge the bowels.