| AMA | against medical advice; alkaline membrane assay; American Management Association; American Medical A... |
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| ARP | absolute refractory period; American Registry of Pathologists; anticipated recovery path; apolipopro... |
| CA | anterior commissure [Lat. commissura anterior]; calcium antagonist; California [rabbit]; cancer; Can... |
| CAMVA | chorioallantoic membrane vascular assay |
| CBPA | competitive protein-binding assay |
| hepatitis, chronic, drug-induced | An inflammatory disease of the liver, lasting six months or more, and caused by an adverse drug effect. The adverse effect may result from a direct toxic effect of a drug or metabolite, or an idiosyncratic response to a drug or metabolite. The clinical and histological changes can mimic viral or autoimmune hepatitis. (12 Dec 1998) |
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| scheduled drug | A drug assigned to any of the five schedules in the Controlled Substances Act (1970). See: controlled substance. (05 Mar 2000) |
| psychedelic drug | <pharmacology> A class of medications (for example LSD, marijuana, peyote, heroin, cocaine) that result in a distorted perception of reality. Often accompanied by hallucinations. (27 Sep 1997) |
| psychodysleptic drug | <pharmacology> A class of medications (for example LSD, marijuana, peyote, heroin, cocaine) that result in a distorted perception of reality. Often accompanied by hallucinations. (27 Sep 1997) |
| psycholytic drug | <pharmacology> A class of medications (for example LSD, marijuana, peyote, heroin, cocaine) that result in a distorted perception of reality. Often accompanied by hallucinations. (27 Sep 1997) |
| psychotomimetic drug | <pharmacology> A class of medications (for example LSD, marijuana, peyote, heroin, cocaine) that result in a distorted perception of reality. Often accompanied by hallucinations. (27 Sep 1997) |
| psychotropic drug | Any drug that affects the mind. (05 Mar 2000) |
| nephrotoxic drug | A group of medication known to cause renal toxicity in some cases as a side effect. Examples include: aminoglycosides, cisplatin, cyclosporine, foscarnet, pentamidine, ifosfamide, vancomycin, neomycin, nitrous oxide, isoflurane, kanamycin and cyclophosphamide. (27 Sep 1997) |
| 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) |
| 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) |