L-dopa drug used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease.
lidocaine a local anesthetic that is also used to stop heart arrhythmia.
liniment any rubbing compound used to soothe aching muscles and relieve stiffness.
lymphocyte a white blood cell involved in the body's natural immune system.
local anesthetic any topical substance used to numb or stop sensation in a specific area.
methadone a narcotic used as a substitute for morphine or heroin to help those dependent on these drugs to cure their addictions.
MMR a vaccine used to prevent measles, mumps, and rubella, administered during childhood.
morphine a powerful painkiller and sedative extracted from opium.
narcotic a painkilling and sedating drug, such as morphine, that is usually addictive.
natural killer cell a natural cell or lymphocyte in the body that defends against viruses and tumors.
neomycin a broad-spectrum antibiotic, commonly used on the skin and in the eyes.
nitroglycerin a vasodilator used in episodes of severe angina to open blood vessels and help restore blood flow to the heart.
OD an overdose; to overdose.
opiate any one of various drugs derived from opium, such as morphine and codeine.
opium an extract of the poppy flower, a powerful and addictive narcotic used for painkilling and sedation.
OTC over-the-counter; available without a doctor's prescription.
overdose an excessive dose of medicine, causing ill effects or even death.
palliative any medicine that relieves symptoms but does not cure the underlying illness.
panacea a mythical cure-all.
patent medicine any trademarked medication that can be purchased without a doctor's prescription.
penicillin a broad-spectrum antibiotic.
pharmaceutical any drug or medication available at a pharmacy.
pharmacology the study and science of drugs and their effects on the body.
pharmacopoeia a book containing information on drugs and their ingredients, their preparation, their proper dosages, etc.
pharmacy a drugstore.
phenobarbital a barbiturate with a sedative effect, used to treat anxiety and insomnia.
physic a laxative.
placebo a sham pill or treatment that, presented as real medicine, often has measurable, curative effects, used in double-blind medical studies to test the efficacy of authentic medications.
polio vaccine either the Sabin (live virus) or the Salk (dead virus) vaccine, to prevent polio.
poultice a folk remedy composed of a warm, moist dressing made from meal, bread, clay, or other substance and applied to soothe an aching or inflamed body part.
prednisone a synthetic steroid used in the treatment of allergies and rheumatic diseases.
prescription a doctor's written order to a pharmacy for a medication.
procaine a local anesthetic known more widely by its trade name, Novocain.
prophylactic any agent that prevents disease, such as a vaccine. Also, a condom.
psychedelic more often known as an hallucinogenic, any substance that causes altered states of consciousness and may cause hallucinations.
psychoactive any drug that affects the mind, thinking processes, mood, etc.
purgative a laxative.
quinine drug used in the treatment of malaria.
Sabin vaccine see polio vaccine.
St.-John's-wort the yellow-flowered Hypericum plant, an extract of which has been shown to relieve mild to moderate depression.
Salk vaccine see polio vaccine.
sedative any drug used to relieve anxiety or induce sleep.
sodium barbital a sedative.
soporific any drug that induces sleep.
steroid any of various hormones, including cortisone, progesterone, the male hormone androgen, andthe female hormone estrogen, synthetic versions of which are used in hormone replacement therapy and in muscle building.
stimulant any substance that excites the central nervous system and increases alertness, such as caffeine.
streptokinase a bacteria-produced enzyme used to break up artery-clogging blood clots, especially in cases of myocardial infraction and pulmonary embolism.
streptomycin a broad-spectrum antibiotic, especially used in the treatment of tuberculosis.
sulfa drug any one of various drugs derived from sulfanilamide, used to treat a broad range of infections, such as those involved in conjunctivitis, bronchitis, leprosy, malaria, dysentery, gastroenteritis, and urinary infections, by preventing the growth of bacteria. Also known as a sulfonamide.
sulfonamide see sulfa drug.
synergist any medicine that produces a more powerful effect when combined with another medicine.
tetracycline any one of various bacteria-derived antibiotics used to treat a wide range of bacterial infections, including syphilis.
tolerance the decline of a drug's effectiveness in a patient over time, causing the need for higher dosages.
topical applied to a localized area outside the body, such as the skin.
tranquilizer any drug used to relieve anxiety and induce sleep.
troche a lozenge.
vaccine any inoculation administered to prevent a disease.
valerian a plant-derived sedative.
vasoconstrictor any drug that narrows the blood vessels, used to maintain or raise blood pressure during shock or surgery.
vasodilator any drug that widens the blood vessels, causing an increase in blood flow, used to improve circulation and to treat angina.
vermicide any drug used to destroy worms in the intestines.
vitamin any one of various substances, derived from plant and animal products, essential for the body's health and functioning.
warfarin an anticoagulant used to help prevent embolism.
withdrawal unpleasant side effects, which may include sweating, vomiting, shaking, strong cravings, etc., experienced when a patient stops taking certain drugs.
SURGICAL AND MEDICAL PROCEDURES AND RELATED TERMS
ACL surgery surgical reconstruction or repair of the anterior cruciate ligament of the knee, using a graft from the patient's own body.
adenectomy removal of a gland.
adenoidectomy removal of the adenoids.
adenotonsillectomy removal of the tonsils and adenoids.
adrenalectomy removal of the adrenal glands.
anesthesia, caudal injection of an anesthetic agent into the lower spinal canal.
anesthesia, endotracheal an anesthetic agent administered through a tube placed into the mouth or nose and down into the trachea or windpipe for inhalation.
anesthesia, epidural injection of an anesthetic agent just outside the spinal canal.
anesthesia, general the administration of a full- body anesthesia involving loss of consciousness.
anesthesia, intravenous injection of an anesthetic agent into a vein.