Pharmacology Terms

DEA # Drug Enforcement Administration

An alphanumeric number consisting of two letters and seven numbers that is assigned to prescribers authorized by the DEA to prescribe controlled substances

DUE: Drug Utilization Evaluation

An authorized, structured, ongoing review of health care provider prescribing, pharmacist dispensing and patient use of medication

Adjudication

The process by which a prescription is summited electronically to a third party payer for the pharmacy to be reimbursed for the medication dispensed

Dilution

The process of adding a diluent or solvent to a compound, resulting in a product increased volume or weight and lower concentration

METABOLISM

The processes by which the body breaks down or convert medications to active or inactive substances. The primary site of drug metabolism in humans is the liver, however selected drugs are metabolized through other processes.

BIOEQUIVALENCE

The relationship between two drugs that have the same dosage and dosage form and that have similar bioavailability. Generic versions of a medication must show bioequivalence to the innovator product as a requirement of a drug approval.

ProDrug

An inactive substance that is converted to a drug in the body by the action of enzymes or other chemicals

Proprietary Name

(Brand or Trade) A brand or Trademark under which a drug product is marketed

Aphasia

A communication disorder that results from damage or injury to the language parts of the brain, it is more common in older adults, particularly those who have had a stroke

Vitamin A dificiency

Cause blindness

LEGEND DRUGS

Drug that requires a prescription

PPI: Patient Package Insert

Manufacture provides information to be given to a patient because of the possibility of adverse effects from the medication, interactions between food, drugs and or supplements

PARENTERAL MEDICATION

Medications administered by injection or topical that bypasses the gastrointestinal system

OVER-THE-COUNTER (OTC)

Medications that can be purchased without a prescription.

Auxiliary Label

Provides supplementary information about proper and safe administration, use or storage of a medication

Vitamin D deficiency

RICKETS, a disease in which the bone tissue doesn't properly mineralize, leading to soft bones and skeletal deformities.

Signa

Signatura: The directions on a prescription that explains how the patient is to take the prescribed medication. Latin expression meaning to "write a label"

Vitamin C deficiency

Symptoms of SCURVY include easy bruising, easy bleeding and joint and muscle pains.

BIOAVAILABILITY

The degree to which a drug or other substance becomes available to the target tissue after administration.

EXCRETION

The final elimination of a drug or other substances from the body via normal body processes, such as kidney elimination (urine), biliary excretion (bile to stool), sweat, respirations, or saliva.

Superscription

The heading of the prescription represented by the Latin symbol Rx. meaning "take thou" or "you take" the symbol has come to represent prescription or pharmacy

DISTRIBUTION

The location of a medication through blood, organs and tissues after administration.

Chemical Structure

The makeup of a chemical, including factors such as the elements, shape, bonding, types and molecular configuration. The nature of a chemical's structure has much to do with the chemical's stability, reactivity, and physical and chemical properties

Inscription

The name, dosage form, strength and quantity of the medication prescribed

ABSORPTION

The taking in of nutrients and drugs form food and liquids

Reconstitution

To mix a liquid and power to form a suspension or solution

INSTILL

To place into; installation instruction are commonly used for ophthalmic or optic drug as examples.

Alligation

A mathematical method of solving problems that involves the mixing of two solutions or two solids of different percentage weights to achieve a desire third strength

DAW code Dispense As Written code

A numeric set of codes created by the National Council for Prescription Drug Programs (NCPDP) that is used when filling prescriptions they can affect reimbursement amounts from insurance companies.

Drug Facts and Comparison

A reference book found in pharmacies that contain detailed information on medication

BIN: Bank Identification Number

A six digit number on a prescription drug card that is used for routing and identification to process a prescription claim

First Pass Effect

The process by which a portion of the dose is metabolized before the drug has a chance to be distributed systematically

BEHIND THE COUNTER (BTC)

Nonprescription drugs that are kept behind the pharmacy counter and may have limited amounts sold or require the permission of a pharmacist to purchase.

PDR: Physician's Desk Reference

One of the many reference books on medications. It's compile and published selected manufacturer-provided package inserts and prescribing information useful for health professionals

Subscription

The part of the prescription that provides specific instructions to the pharmacist on how to compound the prescription

PHARMACOKINETICS

The study of the absorption, metabolism, distribution and excretion of drug.

HALF LIFE

a) The amount of time it takes for the concentration of a chemical to be decreased by half. b) The time required for half the amount of a substance such as a drug in a living system to be eliminates or disintegrated by natural processes. c) The time required for the concentration of a substance in a body fluid (blood plasma) to decrease by half.