Glossary
AAPC American Association of Poison Control Centers
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
Anti-inflammatory This category of drugs reduces inflammation, redness, swelling, warmth and pain (NSAID)
Antipyretics This category of drugs reduces fever
API Active pharmaceutical ingredient
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 is an over-the-counter cough suppressant found in cold medications (and a drug often abused by teens)
Dose (dosage) 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:
Active ingredient Drug(s) the medicine contains
Directions How much to take, when to take
Inactive ingredients What is in the medicine in addition to the drug
Purposes What the drug is for
Uses What problems the drug can treat
Warnings Who should not take the medicine; problems to watch for
Drug Interactions When one drug interacts with another it changes the way one or both of the drugs work in the body and can cause unexpected, and sometimes dangerous, side effects
DUI Driving under the influence
DUID Driving under the influence of drugs
DWI Driving while impaired
Emetic Drug that causes vomiting
Enteric-coated A special coating allows pills to pass undigested through your stomach and dissolve in your small intestine, which helps prevent or reduce stomach irritation
Excipient The active ingredient in a drug is suspended in this inactive ingredient
Extra-strength Drugs Drugs that contain more active ingredient than regular-strength products do
FDA Food and Drug Administration, the Federal agency that is responsible for assuring the safety and effectiveness of drugs
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
Medicine See Drug
Naproxen Sodium A non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that works by blocking the production of substances in the body that cause pain and inflammation
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 Drug Product 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
Robotripping A slang term for the abuse of cough syrup
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
Timed-release Also called extended-release or sustained-release, these drugs dissolve slowly over time, allowing the active ingredient to work over many hours
