Pharmacology Dictionary
What is Pharmacology - Drugs, Pharmacy and the Human Body
Pharmacology dictionary definitions can be helpful for folks
taking pharmacology courses as well as for people employed in pharmacy
settings. Many of the common terms are related to drugs, medicine and the
human body. Having a general knowledge of some of these definitions may be
helpful in the day to day work as a pharmacy technician.
There are a few good resources for sale online. Try http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/bookdescription.agents/600956/description#description “ target=”_new”>“A Dictionary of Pharmacology and Allied Topics” It is a good resource for students as well professionals in pharmacology
Here are some definitions for a few of the more common terms used in
pharmacology:
Pharmacology dictionary terms
- Anaphylaxis - a severe allergic reaction in one or more parts of the body to an allergen. Commonly associated with bee stings and some food allergies, the symptoms could include tightening of airways, difficulty breathing and life threatening complications. Treatment may require a call to 911 as well as epinephrine and antihistamines.
- Antagonism - a condition in which the combination of two drugs results in a less potent effect for one or both of the drugs. The condition may result from Pharmacological, Physiological or Chemical causes.
- Bioavailability - refers to the amount of a drug that is absorbed and available to the organism being treated. It varies greatly between substances and the way the substance is absorbed by the body. This amount will differ for the same substance when it is ingested verses when it is inhaled. This is a critical piece of determining the amount of drugs to administer to patients.
- Drug dependence - a condition which may develop after longterm use of certain drugs. Often accompanied by a need to continue doses of the drug to alleviate dangerous or undesired withdrawal side effects.
- First-pass effect - refers to the impact on drugs on the first passage through the liver. Some drugs have higher removals from circulation during this “first pass”.
- Generic drugs - drugs that have an identical composition with regard to active ingredients. May also be considered chemically equivalent.
- Latency period - the period of time before a specific effect is achieved from the administration of a dose of a drug.
- Placebo effect - condition in which symptoms are reduced by an agent that has no pharmacologic activity and theoretically should not produce any physiological changes. Changes in symptoms are often attributed to the psychological effects of suggestions and beliefs.
- Somatic nervous system - this system is generally associated with all voluntary systems and body movement. Includes the sensory nerves as well as the motor nerves.
- Toxicology - the study of how chemicals create noxious effects in humans and other living organisms. Focuses on numerous variables, including dosages, in evaluating triggers for negative conditions.
As you can see, while pharmacology is not the same as pharmacy, there are many Pharmacology dictionary terms and concepts which are shared between the two sciences. Pharmacy technicians can expand their general knowledge by learning some additional information from the pharmacology world.
Please explore the links on the left nav tabs and in the links below for more information about pharmacy technician careers, salary and training.