| drug dependence | Use of a drug for a reason other than which it was intended or in a manner or in quantities other than directed. Drug dependence is a compulsion to take a drug to produce a desired effect or prevent unpleasant effects when the drug is withheld. Risk factors for drug abuse include: low self esteem, inability to deal with stress and emotional instability. Juveniles use drugs due to peer pressure. Signs of drug use in children include: a change in friends or group, long absences from home, poor performance in school, seclusion, stealing, lying, criminal behaviour, deteriorating family relationships, signs of drug intoxication and changes in behaviour. Commonly abused drugs include narcotic analgesic agents, benzodiazepines, cocaine, amphetamines, barbiturates, marijuana, LSD and phencyclidine. Many labs now offer quick and inexpensive urine drug screening. Psychological counseling and parental support will be necessary in children with this problem. (27 Sep 1997) |
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| drug design | The molecular designing of drugs for specific purposes (such as DNA-binding, enzyme inhibition, anti-cancer efficacy, etc.) based on knowledge of molecular properties such as activity of functional groups, molecular geometry, and electronic structure, and also on information cataloged on analogous molecules. Drug design is generally computer-assisted molecular modeling and does not include pharmacokinetics, dosage analysis, or drug administration analysis. (12 Dec 1998) |
| drug development pathway | The various procedures and studies that must be undertaken to satisfy Food and Drug Administration requirements for drug approval and marketing. (14 Nov 1997) |
| drug eruptions | Adverse cutaneous reactions caused by ingestion, parenteral use, or local application of a drug. These may assume various morphologic patterns and produce various types of lesions. (12 Dec 1998) |
| drug evaluation | Any process by which toxicity, metabolism, absorption, elimination, preferred route of administration, safe dosage range, etc., for a drug or group of drugs is determined through clinical assessment in humans or veterinary animals. (12 Dec 1998) |
| drug-fast | Pertaining to microorganisms that resist or become tolerant to an antibacterial agent. (05 Mar 2000) |
| drug fever | Fever resulting from an allergic reaction to a drug that clears rapidly on discontinuation of the drug. (05 Mar 2000) |
| drug half-life | The amount of time it takes for one-half of an administered drug to be lost through biological processes (metabolism and elimination). (27 Sep 1997) |
| drug holiday | Interval when a chronically medicated patient temporarily stops taking the medication; used to allow some recuperation of normal functions, to maintain sensitivity to the drug, and to reduce the likelihood of side-effects. (05 Mar 2000) |
| drug hypersensitivity | Immunologically mediated adverse reactions to medicinal substances used legally or illegally. (12 Dec 1998) |
| drug implants | Small containers or pellets of a solid drug implanted in the body to achieve sustained release of the drug. (12 Dec 1998) |
| drug incompatibility | <pharmacology> The quality of not being miscible with another given substance without a chemical change. One drug is not of suitable composition to be combined or mixed with another agent or substance. The incompatibility usually results in an undesirable reaction, including chemical alteration or destruction. (12 Dec 1998) |
| drug-induced cholestasis | <hepatology> A condition where a drug is interfering with the normal flow of bile from the liver to the gut via the biliary tract. The end result is jaundice. Origin: Gr. Stasis = stoppage (27 Sep 1997) |
| drug-induced diarrhoea | <gastroenterology> Diarrhoea may be produced by several mechanisms. Laxatives may produce diarrhoea by increasing the flow of water into the intestine or by increasing the intestinal motility. Antibiotic medications can cause diarrhoea by killing the normal bacteria that live in the intestine and help us digest our food. Some drugs produce diarrhoea as a side effect or as drug toxicity. (27 Sep 1997) |
| drug-induced disease | <pharmacology> A toxic reaction to or morbid condition resulting from the administration of a drug. (05 Mar 2000) |