Pharmacy Glossary
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F
It helps to protect the brain and strengthen the immune system, amongst other benefits. It contributes to the development of the foetus’s nervous system, which is why pregnant women are advised to take it as a dietary supplement. It is found in foods such as spinach, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, beans and beef liver.
Partial or total loss of body or head hair. This can have various causes and may progress gradually, resolve spontaneously, or be managed with medical treatment.
These are a type of steroid hormone capable of transforming simple molecules into complex ones. This means that they stimulate cell growth and division, resulting in the development of tissues, particularly muscle tissue. Furthermore, as they are derived from sex hormones, particularly the male hormone – testosterone – they also promote the development of male sexual characteristics, such as the deepening of the voice and the growth of body hair.
This is the name given to mineral salt-based medicines used to combat acidity in the digestive system by raising the pH of the stomach. They are therefore used to treat heartburn, as well as indigestion, nausea and abdominal pain.
These are chemicals capable of destroying, or at least preventing the growth of, bacteria, and are therefore used to treat bacterial infections. They are not effective in treating illnesses caused by viruses. They can only be obtained with a doctor’s prescription.
A substance that prevents the formation of blood clots, i.e. it prevents the blood from forming solid masses that can block blood flow in veins and arteries, leading to heart attacks and strokes. Patients at high risk of these conditions usually take this type of medication.
Molecules of a modified protein found in blood plasma, which are produced by the immune system in response to exposure to foreign substances. Their function is therefore to recognise and neutralise potential threats, such as viruses or bacteria.
It is a substance that reduces the body’s loss of water. It usually consists of a synthetic version of a hormone naturally present in the body, vasopressin, and is widely used by people with diabetes.
A medicine that blocks the action of histamine and is used to treat allergies.
These are medicines whose main purpose is to relieve symptoms associated with travel sickness, nausea and vomiting.
A medicine that reduces or prevents fever.
A medicine that reduces inflammation in tissues. By reducing inflammation, it reduces oedema (swelling), pain, heat and redness.
These are specific medicines designed to combat HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), which causes AIDS. They do not cure the disease, but they help to reduce the amount of virus in the blood, thereby lowering the risk of transmission and preventing the disease from manifesting itself.
This is a category of medicines used to treat anxiety, stress or even depression. They act on the part of the brain that controls alertness and therefore have a calming effect. When used appropriately and on prescription, they do not affect motor or mental functions, but incorrect or excessive use can lead to dependence.
It is said that an environment free from infection is considered aseptic.
It means ‘strange disease’ and refers to people who are prone to dermatitis (skin allergies), allergic rhinitis and asthma. Atopy is a genetic condition which causes the atopic patient to inherit various changes to their immune system. The vast majority of these patients have a family history of the condition.
It refers to the responsible use of over-the-counter medicines (OTC) whenever they are intended to relieve and treat minor, temporary health complaints, with the optional assistance or advice of a healthcare professional.
Stroke
B
The period of time over which the product is absorbed and eliminated by the body, and the concentration it reaches in the blood.
Plastic packaging containing the tablets.
Medicines that help to widen the airways. They are used in treatments to minimise the symptoms of asthma, such as asthma attacks.
This is the information leaflet that comes inside the packaging: it contains a summary of the mechanism of action, method of administration, indications, contraindications, adverse reactions and interactions. It should therefore be read before taking any medicine.
C
They have the potential to develop into specialised cells such as those found in the body’s tissues and organs. Stem cells are present in a 3- to 5-day-old embryo, and in smaller quantities in adults (bone marrow and adipose tissue), in amniotic fluid and in the umbilical cord.
It is a severe allergic reaction characterised by symptoms such as swelling of the mouth, eyes and nose, which can lead to breathing difficulties, itchy and red skin, abdominal pain, nausea and a rapid heart rate. In extreme cases, it can be fatal. Treatment consists of a subcutaneous injection of adrenaline and the administration of oxygen to prevent loss of consciousness.
Conjugated linoleic acid inhibits an enzyme (lipoprotein lipase) responsible for the storage of fat in fat cells.
An alkaloid extracted from opium, it can be prepared from morphine. It is used as a mild analgesic and antitussive. It has hypnotic and sedative properties. Less toxic and non-habit-forming, it can, in high doses, cause drowsiness, dizziness and constipation.
A liquid formulation applied to the eyes, which may have lubricating, antibiotic, anaesthetic, anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory properties.
A liquid formulation for rinsing the oral mucosa, which may be used daily to improve oral hygiene or used occasionally to treat an inflammatory or infectious condition.
A product that blocks the skin’s pores, leading to the formation of blackheads.
This is the amount that the State contributes towards the cost of medicines, with the patient responsible for paying the remaining amount. It is set by law, with different tiers defined according to the medicine and the condition for which it is intended. Not all medicines are eligible for reimbursement.
A synthetic or natural compound related to the hormones produced in the cortex of the adrenal glands. It is used to reduce inflammation, asthma and pain. Due to its side effects, it should only be administered under medical supervision.
Small yellow patches that feel greasy to the touch, which babies may develop on their scalp or forehead. This is caused by excessive sebum secretion, which binds dead skin cells to the surface of the skin until a patch forms.
D
This is the lowest blood pressure reading and corresponds to the phase in which the heart muscle expands and relaxes. A reading between 60 and 80 mmHg (millimetres of mercury) is considered normal.
This is the amount of medicine administered to produce a therapeutic effect: it can be minimal (the smallest amount required), maximal, toxic (when it exceeds the maximum dose and causes undesirable effects), lethal, or therapeutic (the ideal dose to produce the desired effect). A distinction is also made between a loading dose (a single dose that rapidly achieves the desired effect) and a maintenance dose (a low dose to maintain drug levels in the blood).
Menstrual pain or cramps.
Difficulty swallowing (deglutition).
Difficulty breathing.
Problems with digesting food.
This term covers a wide range of products which, like medicines, are intended to prevent, diagnose or treat a disease. The main difference is that they achieve these aims through physical or mechanical means and therefore do not contain any active substance. Examples include contact lenses, bandages, blood glucose test strips, prostheses and pacemakers.
These are medicines that act on the kidneys by increasing the volume and rate of urine flow.
E
A moisturising treatment often used to treat symptoms associated with dry skin and eczema.
These are substances, usually proteins, which act as catalysts for chemical reactions that would be unlikely to occur without them.
(or flushing) is a clinical sign, seen in various conditions, characterised by a reddish discolouration of the skin caused by capillary vasodilation.
Sunburn
These are substances derived from the male hormone testosterone, which is responsible for the development of male secondary sexual characteristics during puberty and for stimulating muscle and bone growth. They are used as a treatment for patients with hypogonadism (when insufficient testosterone is produced) and as appetite stimulants for patients suffering from AIDS or cancer.
A pharmacologically inactive substance used in a medicinal product to act as a vehicle for the active ingredient.
An inflammatory organic fluid formed when serum passes through the walls of blood vessels into the surrounding tissues.
F
Synonym for blister. When we get burnt, the lymphatic system produces a fluid to help the body contain the burn, thereby preventing the loss of minerals and water.
The form in which medicines are presented for administration (tablets, capsules, syrups, drops, etc.).
It is a compounded medicine prepared in a community pharmacy or by a hospital pharmacy department in accordance with a prescription that specifies the patient for whom the medicine is intended.
Sun Protection Factor. This is a number that indicates how many times longer we can stay in the sun without getting burnt.
This term covers both the mushrooms we eat and those that aid in the fermentation of bread, as well as microscopic organisms that cause skin infections. Athlete’s foot is the best-known of these conditions, common amongst those who frequent damp places such as changing rooms, or amongst those who wear poorly ventilated footwear. There are also fungi used in the formulation of medicines to help combat bacterial infections.
G
This refers to the property of certain capsules or tablets that resist the action of gastric juice, allowing them to take effect in the intestine without being broken down beforehand.
This term refers to the presence of glucose (sugar) in the urine, which can occur in cases of uncontrolled diabetes.
A protein found in cereals such as wheat, rye, barley and oats. Eating foods containing these cereals is harmful to people with gluten intolerance, such as those with coeliac disease, as they are unable to digest this protein properly and, as a result, experience symptoms such as diarrhoea, abdominal pain and bloating when they consume foods containing gluten.
H
These initials stand for high-density lipoproteins. It is known as ‘good cholesterol’ because of its role in clearing fats from the blood and transporting them to the liver, which removes them from the body. The higher the HDL level, the lower the risk of cardiovascular disease.
These are substances produced by glands or by neurons (cells of the nervous system). They act as messengers, carrying information from one cell to another, and play a role in the functioning of various organs in the human body. Examples include oestrogens, testosterone and adrenaline.
Naturally present in humans, it stimulates growth and may be administered to compensate for deficiencies in its production, which result in problems with growth and development.
It consists of an exaggerated reaction by the immune system to a substance foreign to the body, which occurs following prior exposure to that same substance – in other words, sensitisation.
An increase in the volume of air circulating in the lungs. It can be caused by an increase in the rate or depth of breathing. The most common cause is anxiety, and it may be associated with panic attacks and hysteria. However, physical exercise, respiratory conditions and fever can also cause hyperventilation.
I
A formula that relates body weight to height in order to determine the ideal weight for each individual. Values below 18.5 indicate that a person is underweight; a BMI between 18.5 and 25 indicates a healthy weight; a BMI above 25 indicates that a person is overweight.
J
Refraining from eating for a period of time. Fasting may be associated with weight-loss programmes and preparation for certain medical examinations and clinical tests.
L
This is a term generally applied to antibiotics, medicines used to treat bacterial infections. Broad-spectrum antibiotics are those that act on a large number of bacteria, covering most of the microorganisms capable of causing a particular infection.
Unlike HDL, this is the ‘bad cholesterol’ (low-density lipoproteins). If your LDL level is high, this means that fat has built up on the walls of your blood vessels, putting you at risk of cardiovascular problems. The higher the levels, the greater the risk.
M
This is the term used for medicines prepared by a pharmacist in a dispensing or community pharmacy, almost always tailored to the patient’s needs – the composition and dosage can be personalised. They are mainly used to treat skin conditions and come, for example, in the form of ointments or lozenges.
A product that absorbs excess oil from the skin without leaving it feeling dry.
A medicine containing the same active ingredient, in the same pharmaceutical form and strength, and with the same therapeutic indication as the original, branded medicine used as a reference. Generic medicines are identified by the abbreviation (MG), which appears on the outer packaging of the medicine.
The formation of dark patches on the skin, which usually appear on the face but can also occur on other areas exposed to the sun, such as the arms and décolletage.
This is the term used to describe the spread of a malignant tumour from its original site. It occurs when cancer cells break away and travel via the bloodstream or the lymphatic system to other parts of the body, where they form new sites of the disease.
Also known as microorganisms, these are living organisms so small that they can only be seen under a microscope. They are often associated with causing disease, as they include viruses and bacteria, but some have beneficial effects, such as the fungi used in food fermentation.
Prescription-only medicine
Medicine Not Subject to a Prescription
It is a medicine that breaks down the mucus in the bronchi, making it easier to cough up and clearing the airways.
N
Equipment used to administer medication in the form of vapour, which the patient inhales into their lungs via a mask attached to the device.
A term used to refer to a specific nutrient found in a foodstuff, which has pharmacological properties but is not considered to be a medicine. Example: lycopene in tomatoes, which can be used as an antioxidant.
O
These are polyunsaturated fatty acids that are important for the functioning of the cardiovascular system, but which are not produced by our bodies and must therefore be obtained from our diet.
P
A chemical widely used in cosmetics to kill microorganisms. It is a preservative found in shampoos, moisturisers and shaving foams. Recent research suggests that it may be toxic to human cells.
This is a form of artificial feeding that involves the administration of nutrients intravenously (using a catheter).
This is an antibiotic produced from a fungus. Discovered in 1929 by the British bacteriologist Alexander Fleming, it was the first antibiotic to be marketed and revolutionised the treatment of diseases; although it has no significant side effects, many people are allergic to it.
A statistical measure that indicates a child’s position in relation to the normal distribution of the variable being assessed (e.g. weight and height).
It comes in the form of a tablet containing hormones such as oestrogen and progesterone, and is used to prevent pregnancy; however, it does not protect against sexually transmitted infections.
The period during which the medicine remains in an ideal condition for use after opening. It is always shorter than the expiry date, and not all medicines have one; it is most common for eye drops and syrups.
This term is associated with meals and relates primarily to taking medication or measuring health indicators such as blood glucose levels. For example, the term ‘postprandial blood glucose’ is used when blood glucose levels are measured after a meal.
It is synonymous with prevention, meaning the adoption of measures that help to minimise the likelihood of developing a disease. This is the role, for example, of vaccines.
These are non-digestible fibres that ferment in our gut and stimulate the growth of probiotic bacteria.
They are living microorganisms that form part of the normal gut flora; in other words, they are the bacteria normally present in our gut, whose role is to support gut function and protect us from pathogenic bacteria.
Itch.
Q
Quinolones, also known as fluoroquinolones, are compounds that contain a carbon atom at the -3 position of the primary ring structure; they act as highly potent oral antibiotics without causing many side effects.
R
It is any response to a medicinal product that is harmful, unintended, and occurs at doses normally used in humans for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases, or for the modification of a physiological function. It differs from a side effect: an effect other than that considered to be the main effect of a medicinal product, which may or may not be beneficial depending on the situation.
It is an unpredictable reaction to a medicine, which is related to each individual’s response. What occurs is a non-immune hypersensitivity to a substance, characterised by the fact that it is independent of the toxicity of that substance. For example: in susceptible patients, aspirin can cause non-allergic urticaria.
It is the involuntary and repeated regurgitation of stomach contents into the oesophagus.
S
Is the technical name for ordinary sugar. It is mainly extracted from sugar cane, but is also found in foods such as beetroot and certain fruits.
A cosmetic product with a light, fluid texture and a high concentration of active ingredients.
Products that combine prebiotics with probiotics in order to enhance the effects of both components.
When applied to medicines, this term refers to those that enter the bloodstream, as this is the only way they can reach the parts of the body where they will produce the desired therapeutic effect. This applies to all medicines administered orally – tablets and capsules – as well as all injectable medicines.
It is the (intentional or accidental) administration of an excessive dose of a chemical substance (medicine, drug or other type of product). It may not cause any symptoms or signs, but it weakens the body.
It is a solution consisting of water and sodium, in a ratio of 100mL of water to 0.9g of salt. It is most commonly used for cleaning the eyes and nose, as well as for cleaning wounds.
The active ingredient in the medicine that is responsible for its effect.
Foods which, when eaten in small quantities, provide a high concentration of essential nutrients, enzymes and/or antioxidant phytochemicals.
T
A device used to measure blood pressure.
U
These are medicines that take effect inside the body, passing through the stomach and intestines: this includes tablets, capsules, syrups and suppositories.
V
This is the active ingredient in an anticoagulant medicine; in other words, it acts on the blood’s clotting process, preventing it from becoming too thick and stopping blood clots – a sort of knot that blocks blood vessels – from forming.
A medicine that causes a temporary widening of the veins and arteries. The aim is to increase the space through which blood flows, thereby reducing the pressure on the heart, or to increase blood flow when the passage is obstructed.
A medicine that improves circulation by enhancing the tone and elasticity of the veins.
X
This refers to substances foreign to the body, such as medicines, toxins or environmental chemicals, which can be metabolised by the body. The study of xenobiotics is related to pharmacology and toxicology.
Z
Herpes zoster, commonly known as shingles, is an infectious disease caused by the reactivation of the chickenpox virus, Varicella-Zoster, which belongs to the Herpesvirus group.