pharmacology
study of substances that interact with living organisms through chemical processes
medical pharmacology
science of substances used
... [Show More] to prevent, diagnose and treat disease
indication
reason or condition for which a particular medication is given
dose
amount of medication given within a specified period of time
single dose
amount of medication administered at one time
maximum dose
the largest amount of medication either as a single dose or within a period of time
cumulative dose
sum of all single doses over either a lifetime or a period of time
strength
amount of medication contained per tablet, capsule, suppository, etc
titration
administering a medication with variable strength, interval, and quantity to achieve and maintain a desired observable physiological effect (pain ctrl)
contraindication
medical reason not to give a medication
absolute contraindication
medical reason to NEVER give a medication
relative contraindication
medical reason a medication should not be given, but may be acceptable in certain circumstances
allergy
immune response in which there is a hypersensitivity response induced by exposure to a particular medication
side effect
unintended, but not surprising consequence of a medication which may require a medication dose be changed or discontinued
therapeutic effect
desired change in physiology for administering the medication
therapeutic level
blood level of a medication required to achieve the therapeutic effect
toxic level
blood level of a medication which will cause tissue damage
therapeutic range
variable blood levels of a medication between the therapeutic level and the toxic level
therapeutic window
range of acceptable DOSAGES of a medication needed to keep blood levels within the therapeutic range
peak
when medication is at its highest concentration
trough
lowest blood level of a medication between doses
half-life
time it takes for the body to eliminate half the dose of medication
steady state
relatively constant blood level of medication which is sustained after 5-6 half lives of a medication
tolerance
when the body has adapted to having a medication regularly and now requires a higher or more frequent doses to achieve the therapeutic effect
resistance
when infectious organisms adapt to antibiotics and it takes either higher doses of same medication or a change to a different medication to kill the organisms
metabolism
process of the body to break down and eliminate medications most metabolized by the liver or kidneys
dosing interval
recommended time period between doses of a medication
onset
time until a medication's therapeutic effect begins [Show Less]