Appendix A

• Abortifacient


  An agent that will induce an abortion
• Abradant


  An agent that removes an external layer, such as dental plaque (pumice)
• Absorbent


  A drug that takes up other chemicals into its substance; it is used to reduce the free availability of toxic chemicals (polycarbophil, gastrointestinal absorbent)
• ACE Inhibitor


  See Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitor
• Acidifier, Systemic


  A drug that lowers the internal body pH; it is useful in restoring normal pH in patients with systemic alkalosis (ammonium chloride)
• Acidifier, Urinary


  A drug that lowers the pH of the renal filtrate and urine (sodium dihydrogen phosphate)
• Adrenergic


  A drug that activates organs innervated by the sympathetic nervous system; a sympathomimetic drug (epinephrine, norepinephrine)
• Adrenocorticosteroid, Anti-Inflammatory


  An adrenal cortex hormone that regulates organic metabolism and inhibits inflammatory response; a glucocorticoid (prednisolone, prednisone)
• Adrenocorticosteroid, Salt-Regulating


  An adrenal cortex hormone that regulates sodium/potassium balance in the body; a mineralocorticoid (desoxycorticosterone acetate)
• Adrenocorticotropic Hormone


  A hormone that stimulates the adrenal cortex to produce glucocorticoids (corticotropin)
• Adsorbent


  A drug that binds other chemicals onto its surface; it is used to reduce the free availability of toxic chemicals (kaolin, gastrointestinal adsorbent)
• Agonist


  A drug that reacts with and activates physiological receptors and induces the associated biologic response (morphine, opioid receptor agonist; isoproterenol, beta-adrenergic receptor agonist)
• Alcohol-Abuse Deterrent


  A drug that alters physiology so that unpleasant symptoms follow ingestion of ethanol-containing products (disulfiram)
• Aldehyde Dehydrogenase Inhibitor


  A drug that blocks the conversion of acetaldehyde to acetic acid by aldehyde dehydrogenase (disulfiram)
• Alkalinizer, Systemic


  A drug that raises the internal body pH; it is useful in restoring normal pH in patients with systemic acidosis (sodium bicarbonate)
• Alkylating Agent


  An antineoplastic drug that attacks malignant cells by reacting covalently with their DNA (chlorambucil)
• Alpha Glucosidase Inhibitor


  A drug that blocks the digestion of carbohydrates into simple sugars that will increase blood sugar levels (oral diabetic drugs)
• Alpha Receptor Agonist


  A drug that activates sympathetic nervous system alpha receptors, for example, to induce vasoconstriction (norepinephrine)
• Alpha Receptor Antagonist


  A drug that reacts asymptomatically with sympathetic nervous system alpha receptors and prevents their endogenous activation, for example, to induce vasodilation (phentolamine)
• Alpha Reductase Inhibitor


  A drug that decreases the levels of available 5α-reductase prior to testosterone's binding with the enzyme, reducing levels of dihydrotestosterone
• Amebicide


  An agent used to treat amoebozoa infections (metronidazole)
• Anabolic Steroid


  An androgen analogue with relatively greater anabolic activity; it is used to treat catabolic disorders (methandrostenolone)
• Analeptic


  A central nervous system stimulant, sometimes used to stimulate respiration during severe central nervous system depression (doxapram, modafinil)
• Analgesic


  A drug that suppresses pain perception (nociception) without inducing unconsciousness (morphine sulfate, opioid analgesic; aspirin, nonopioid analgesic)
• Androgen


  A hormone that stimulates and maintains male reproductive function and sex characteristics (testosterone)
• Anesthetic, General


  A drug that eliminates pain perception by inducing unconsciousness (ether, inhalation anesthetic; thiopental sodium, intravenous anesthetic; midazolam)
• Anesthetic, Local


  A drug that eliminates pain perception in a limited body area by local action on sensory nerves (procaine, lidocaine)
• Anesthetic, Topical


  A local anesthetic that is effective upon application to mucous membranes (tetracaine)
• Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitor


  A drug that inhibits biotransformation of angiotensin I into vasoconstricting angiotensin II; it is used to treat hypertension (captopril, ramipril)
• Anorexiant


  A drug that acts on the brain to reduce the appetite
• Anorexic


  A drug that suppresses appetite, usually by elevating mood (phentermine, sibutramine)
• Antacid


  A drug that neutralizes excess gastric acid (calcium carbonate)
• Antagonist


  A drug that reacts asymptomatically with physiological receptors and prevents their endogenous activation (naloxone, opioid receptor antagonist; propranolol and metoprolol, beta-adrenergic receptor antagonists)
• Anthelmintic


  A drug that eradicates intestinal worm infestations (mebendazole)
• Antiacne Agent


  A drug that combats the lesions of acne vulgaris (isotretinoin)
• Antiadrenergic


  A drug that inhibits response to sympathetic nerve impulses and adrenergic drugs; a sympatholytic drug (phentolamine, alpha adrenergic antagonist; metoprolol, beta-adrenergic antagonist)
• Antiamebic


  A drug that kills or inhibits protozoan parasites such as Entamoeba histolytica, causative agent of amebiasis (metronidazole, intestinal antiamebic; chloroquine, extraintestinal antiamebic)
• Antiandrogen


  A drug that inhibits response to androgenic hormones
• Antianemic


  A drug used to treat anemia; see Hematopoietic, Hematinic (ferrous sulfate)
• Antianginal


  A coronary vasodilator useful in preventing or treating attacks of angina pectoris (nitroglycerin)