A

Absorption Rate – How quickly a drug enters the bloodstream after administration.

AC – Before a meal (prescription abbreviation).

Acute – A condition with rapid onset, severe symptoms, and short duration.

Adverse Reaction – Undesired or harmful effect after taking a medication.

Antibiotic – Medication that kills or inhibits bacteria.

Antipyretic – Medication used to reduce fever.

Antispasmodic – Drug that helps relieve or prevent muscle spasms.

Antitussive – Drug that suppresses coughing.

Apothecary – Alternative term for pharmacist; also refers to traditional weight/measure system.

B

Bactericidal – Drug that destroys bacteria.

Bacteriostatic – Drug that slows or inhibits bacterial growth.

Batch Preparation – Compounding multiple doses at once for stock.

BID – Twice daily (prescription abbreviation).

Bioavailability – Percentage of drug absorbed into the bloodstream for use.

Biologic – Drug or vaccine made from living organisms.

Brand Name – Manufacturer-given name for a medication.

Bronchodilator – Medication that widens air passages in the lungs.

Buccal – Medication absorbed by dissolving it between gum and cheek.

C

Capsule – Solid dosage form with medication enclosed in a shell.

Clinical Trial – Testing drug safety/effectiveness in humans before approval.

Co-pay – Set dollar amount patient pays for a prescription.

Compound – Mixture made from combining two or more substances.

Compounding – Process of preparing personalized medication mixtures.

Contraindication – Situation where a drug should not be used due to potential harm.

Controlled Release – Drug designed to release its active ingredients gradually.

Controlled Substance – Drug regulated by federal law due to abuse risk.

D

Dispense – To provide medication as ordered on a prescription.

Diuretic – Drug that increases urine production.

Dosage – Specific amount of a medication to be taken.

Drug Utilization Review (DUR) – Systematic review of medication prescribing, dispensing, and usage to ensure safety.

E

EC – Enteric-coated (tablet designed to dissolve in intestines, not stomach).

Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM) – Clinical decisions using best available research data.

Excipient – Inactive substance in medication used as filler or binder.

F

Formulary – List of approved medications by insurance or hospital.

Frequency – How often a medication is taken.

FS – Fasting state (prescription abbreviation).

G

Gastrointestinal – Related to stomach and intestines.

Generic Drug – Medication not under patent, usually less expensive than brand name.

Glucocorticoid – Steroid hormone used to reduce inflammation.

H

Half-Life – Time required for half the amount of a drug to be eliminated from the body.

HEPA – High Efficiency Particulate Air (filter).

Hospital Pharmacy – Pharmacy services and operations within a hospital setting.

Hypnotic – Drug that induces sleep or sedation.

I

IBW – Ideal body weight (calculation used for dosing).

IM – Intramuscular (injection into muscle).

Inactive Ingredient – Substance in medication without medical effect.

Inpatient – Patient admitted to a hospital for treatment.

IV – Intravenous (administration directly into a vein).

M

Mail Order – Pharmacy service that ships prescriptions directly by mail.

Mechanism of Action (MOA) – How a drug works in the body.

Milli – Prefix meaning one thousandth (e.g., milliliter).

Misbranded – Medication labeled in a misleading or false way.

Multisource Drugs – Multiple generics or brand products competing in market.

N

NDC – National Drug Code (unique identifier for medications).

Nonproprietary Name – Generic name for a medication.

NSAID – Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (pain relief).

O

Opiate – Drug derived from opium, used to relieve pain.

Opioid – Synthetic medication with opiate-like effects, used for pain.

Opthalmic – Related to the eye.

Orange Book – FDA resource listing approved drugs for substitution.

OTC – Over-the-counter; medication that can be bought without a prescription.

P

Parenteral – Administration of medication by injection (not through digestive tract).

PBM – Pharmacy Benefits Manager, manages prescription drug benefits.

Pharmaceutical Care – Optimizing health outcomes through responsible medication use.

Pharmacokinetics – How drugs move through the body (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion).

Pharmacology – Study of drugs and their effects on the body.

Pharmacy Technician – Professional assisting pharmacists in dispensing medication.

PO – By mouth (oral administration).

Prescription Drug – Medication dispensed only with a prescriber’s order.

Prophylaxis – Measure taken to prevent disease.

Q

QA – Quality assurance (ensuring standards in pharmacy practice).

QID – Four times a day (prescription abbreviation).

Quantity – Total amount of medication to be dispensed.

R

R&D – Research and development related to new drugs.

Reconstitute – To mix a powder drug with liquid before use.

Red Book – Resource for drug pricing and insurance billing.

Regulatory – Controlled or governed by law.

Retail Drug – Medication available at pharmacy counters.

Route of Administration – Path by which a drug enters the body.

Rx – Common abbreviation for prescription.

S

SBECD – Sulfobutylether-β-cyclodextrin (used to solubilize drugs).

SC – Subcutaneous (injection underneath the skin).

Side Effect – Secondary effect of drug, can be beneficial or adverse.

Stat – Immediately (used in urgent prescriptions).

Suspension – Liquid medicine with undissolved particles.

T

Tab – Tablet (solid dosage form).

TBSP – Tablespoon (prescription measurement).

TID – Three times a day (prescription abbreviation).

Tincture – Solution of drug dissolved in alcohol.

Toxicology – Study of poison effects and their treatment.

TPN Solution – Total parenteral nutrition, intravenous feeding.

Transdermal – Medication administered through the skin.

U

Unit Dose – Individualized, pre-measured medication dose for a patient.

USP – United States Pharmacopeia; sets standards for drug quality.

V

Vial – Small container used to hold medication for injection.

X

X-ref – Cross-reference; link between related medications or terms.

Z

Zero Fill – No refills are permitted for a prescription.

‍