| street drug | A controlled substance taken for non-medical purposes. Street drugs comprise various amphetamines, anaesthetics, barbiturates, opiates, and psychoactive drugs, and many are derived from natural sources (e.g., the plants Papaver somniferum, Cannibis sativa, Amanita pantherina, Lophophora williamsii). Slang names include acid (lysergic acid diethylamide), angel dust (phencyclidine), coke (cocaine), downers (barbiturates), grass (marijuana), hash (concentrated tetrahydrocannibinol), magic mushrooms (psilocybin), mescaline (peyote), speed (amphetamines). During the 1980s, a new class of "designer drugs" arose, mostly analogs of psychoactive substances intended to escape regulation under the Controlled Substances Act. Also, crack cocaine, a potent, smokable form of cocaine, emerged as a major public health problem. In the U.S. Illicit use of drugs such as cocaine, marijuana, and heroin historically has occurred in cycles. Synonym: recreational drug. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug | <pharmacology> A large group of anti-inflammatory agents that work by inhibiting the production of prostaglandins. They exert anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic actions. Examples include: ibuprofen, ketoprofen, piroxicam, naproxen, sulindac, aspirin, choline subsalicylate, diflunisal, fenoprofen, indomethacin, meclofenamate, salsalate, tolmetin and magnesium salicylate. A contrast is made with steroidal compounds (such as hydrocortisone or prednisone) exerting anti-inflammatory activity. Acronym: NSAID (05 May 2002) |
| sulpha drug | <pharmacology> A group of drugs used to treat infections. They include: sulphamethoxazole, Bactrim, sulphasalazine and sulphisoxazole. (19 Jan 1998) |
| dose-response relationship, drug | The relationship between the dose of an administered drug and the response of the organism to the drug. (12 Dec 1998) |
| drug | 1. Any animal, vegetable, or mineral substance used in the composition of medicines; any stuff used in dyeing or in chemical operations. "Whence merchants bring" "Their spicy drugs." 2. Any commodity that lies on hand, or is not salable; an article of slow sale, or in no demand. "But sermons are mere drugs." "And virtue shall a drug become." (Dryden) Origin: F. Drogue, prob. Fr. D. Droog; akin to E. Dry; thus orig, dry substance, hers, plants, or wares. See Dry. To prescribe or administer drugs or medicines. Origin: Cf. F. Droguer. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| drug abuse | 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) |
| drug activity | A measure of the physiological response a drug produces. A less active drug produces less response (and visa versa). (12 Dec 1998) |
| drug addiction | 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) |
| drug administration routes | The various ways of administering a drug or other chemical to a site in a patient or animal from where the chemical is absorbed into the blood and delivered to the target tissue. (12 Dec 1998) |
| drug administration schedule | Time schedule for administration of a drug in order to achieve optimum effectiveness and convenience. (12 Dec 1998) |
| drug allergy | Sensitivity (hypersensitivity) to a drug or other chemical. (05 Mar 2000) |
| drug and narcotic control | Control of drug and narcotic use by international agreement, or by institutional systems for handling prescribed drugs. This includes regulations concerned with the manufacturing, dispensing, approval (drug approval), and marketing of drugs. (12 Dec 1998) |
| drug, antihypertensive | As the name clearly implies, a drug aimed at reducing high blood pressure (hypertension). (12 Dec 1998) |
| drug, anti-infective | A medication capable of acting against infection, by inhibiting the spread of an infectious agent or by killing the infectious agent outright. (12 Dec 1998) |
| drug approval | Process that is gone through in order for a drug to receive approval by a government regulatory agency. This includes any required pre-clinical or clinical testing, review, submission, and evaluation of the applications and test results, and post-marketing surveillance of the drug. (12 Dec 1998) |