Chapter: 6.1 Common Terms

Acetaminophen an analgesic and antipyretic drug used in many non prescription pain relievers. It has no antiinflammatory properties. It may be used in combination with other products which do not contain additional acetaminophen. It is often recommended for treatment of mild to moderate pain and fever.

Allergy - a hypersensitive reaction to common, often intrinsically harmless substances most of which are environmental. Severe allergic reactions, such as anaphylaxis and angioneurotic edema of the glottis, can cause systematic shock and death and commonly require immediate therapy with subcutaneous epinephrine or IV steroids.

Antibiotic - Pertaining to the ability to destroy or interfere with the development of a living organism; an antimicrobial agent, derived from cultures of microorganisms or produced semisynthetically, used to treat infections. Classes of antibiotics include penicillins, aminoglycosides, macrollide antibiotics, polypeptide antibiotics, tetracyclines, and cephalosporins.

Anticogulant - Pertaining to a substance that prevents or delays coagulation of the blood; an anticoagulant drug. Heparin is a potent anticoagulant that interferes with the formation of thromboplastin, with the conversion of prothrombin to thrombin and with the formation of fibrin from fibrinogen. Phenindion derivatives administered orally or by injection are vitamin K antagonists that prevent coagulation by inhibiting the formation of vitamin K-dependent clotting factors.

Antiemetic - Pertaining to a substance or procedure that prevents or alleviates nausea and vomiting; an antiemetic drug or agent. Chlorpromazine and other phenothiazines are sometimes effective antiemetic agents. In motion sickness, scopolamine and antihistamines provide relief. SHT3- receptor antagonists such as dolasteron and the corticosteroid dexamethasone may relieve chemotherapy induced nausea. Cannabis derivatives such as dronabinol may also-alleviate the nausea induced by certain antineoplastic drugs in cancer patients.