Glossary

Author: Glossary

  • Radioprotective drug

    A drug that protects humans against the damaging or lethal effects of ionizing radiation. For example, Lugol’s solution blocks the uptake of inhaled or ingested radioactive iodine by the thyroid.  

  • Psychotherapeutic drug

    A drug used to improve the principal symptoms (e.g., anxiety, depression, and psychosis) in the mentally disturbed.  

  • Performance-enhancing drug

    Any drug used to gain an advantage in sports. Such drugs may improve endurance or strength or accelerate healing after injury.  

  • Neuromuscular blocking drug

    A type of drug used during the administration of anesthesia to allow surgical access to body cavities (esp. in particular the abdomen and thorax) by preventing voluntary or reflex muscle movement. These drugs are also used to facilitate compliance in critically ill patients undergoing intensive therapy such as mechanical ventilation.  

  • Look-alike drug

    Any of a group of solid dosage forms of drugs that mimic various prescription drugs by size, shape, color, and markings. Some of these may be controlled drugs. A drug that is made to look like a commonly abused drug but may actually contain any kind of substance.  

  • Disease-modifying antirheumatic drug

    A drug used to treat rheumatoid arthritis that acts more slowly but more effectively than nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Such drugs include hydroxychloroquine, methotrexate, and tumor necrosis factor inhibitors. Within the realm of pharmaceuticals, there exists a category of antirheumatic medications encompassing chloroquine, methotrexate, cyclosporine, and gold compounds. These specific drugs possess the remarkable ability to…

  • Counterfeit drug

    Any drug that has been adulterated, contaminated, diluted, or falsely labeled.  

  • Code drug

    A medication used to treat acute, life-threatening emergencies including dysrhythmias, cardiac arrest, pulmonary edema, and shock. Code drugs include atropine, epinephrine, morphine, and vasopressin.  

  • Brake drug

    A popular term for a hormonal agent that prevents excessive growth in children.  

  • Antimicrobial drug

    A chemical substance that either kills microorganisms or prevents their growth.