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Flashcards: Check Comprehension

The Vocabulary:

Acetaminophen – A drug that elevates the body’s pain threshold and lowers fever. The most widely used pain reliever in the United States
Active Ingredient – The drug component(s) of a medicine
Analgesics – This category of drugs relieves pain
Antipyretics – This category of drugs reduces fever
Aspirin – One of the oldest OTC pain relievers on the market, it works by slowing down the body’s production of a pain-causing substance called “prostaglandin”
Brand Name Drug – A brand name drug sold with a trademark-protected name
Buffered – A pain reliever that contains an antacid to reduce the amount of acid in your stomach
Diuretic – Drug that causes increased urination
DXM – Dextromethorphan; an over-the-counter cough suppressant found in cold medications (and a drug often abused by teens)
Dose – The amount of medicine to take
Drug – A substance for treatment, or prevention, of disease; intended to affect the structure or a function of the body
Drug Facts Label – OTC drugs are required to have this label on the product package so that consumers can easily find the product information. Components of the label include:
DUID – Driving under the influence of drugs
DWI – Driving while impaired
Emetic – Drug that causes vomiting
Excipient – The active ingredient in a drug is suspended in this inactive ingredient
Generic Drug – A drug that is the same as a brand name drug in dosage, safety, strength, how it is taken, quality, performance, and intended use
GRAS/E – Generally recognized as safe and effective
Hepatotoxicity – Toxic to the liver, liver poisoning
Ibuprofen – A common non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), it works by blocking the production of substances in the body that cause pain and inflammation
Legend Drug – Another name for a prescription drug
NSAID – Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin or ibuprofen
OTC – Over-the-counter, medicines that are sold without a prescription from a health care professional
Pharmacy – Drugstore
Prescription – A licensed drug product that requires a doctor’s authorization and prescription to purchase
Reye’s Syndrome – Serious disorder affecting children after a viral infection; associated with aspirin
Rx – Indicates a prescription drug
Side Effects – Unwanted or unexpected effects from a medicine
Skittling – A slang term for the abuse of cough syrup and cold medicine
Strength – How much of the active ingredient is present in each dose