Unit 15 Vocabulary: At the Pharmacy

Verb (infinitive)
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Absorb
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to take in or be received by chemical interaction
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"The cream is absorbed directly into the skin."
Noun (thing)
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Active ingredient
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the chemically active part of a drug
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"Benadryl's active ingredient is diphenhydramine."
Noun (thing)
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Contraindications
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something which makes a particular course of treatment unadvisable.
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"Most drugs contain a list of contraindications on the instructions."
Noun (thing)
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Dietary supplement
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a product containing ingredients with nutritional value, designed to compensate for a lack of this ingredient in a person's diet
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"More and more people are taking dietary supplements to ensure that they meet the recommended daily allowance of vitamins and minerals."
Verb (infinitive)
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Discontinue
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to cease or stop
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"You should discontinue taking the tablets if you feel any shortness of breath."
Noun (thing)
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Drops
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a liquid medicine which is given in the form of globules
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"Eye-drops are the most common medication for treating infections in the eye."
Adjective
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Drowsiness
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the state of feeling tired
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"Thousands of drivers each year are killed because of drowsiness."
Noun (thing)
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Effervescence tablet
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a tablet which dissolves in water giving off small bubbles
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"Effervescence tablets are one of the most popular forms of vitamin supplement."
Verb (infinitive)
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Fill a prescription
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to validate and supply the required items of a prescription
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"I took the prescription to my local pharmacist who filled it."
Adjective
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Generic
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a product which is directly comparable to a brand name but without trademark
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"Generic drugs are usually much lower in cost than brand name drugs."
Noun (thing)
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Liniment
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a liquid or semi-liquid preparation which is applied directly to the skin
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"Liniments are most commonly used in the treatment of bruises or sprains."
Adjective
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Nasal
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relating to the nose
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"When they examined the boy, they realized he had a small plastic car stuck in his nasal cavity."
Adjective
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Numb
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without the physical sensation of touch
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"His hands were numb from the cold."
Adjective
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Orally
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done, taken or administered through the mouth
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"Pills and tablets are usually taken orally."
Adjective
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Over-the-counter
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without a doctors' prescription but within the law
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"A lot of over-the-counter medicines can now be bought online."
Noun (thing)
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Side effects
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a negative or detrimental effect which accompanies a drugs intended effect
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"Patients often feel quite concerned when they see a long list of possible side effects."
Noun (thing)
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Suppository
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a solid mass of medicinal substance which melts when inserted into the rectum or vagina
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"Suppositories are often used to treat infants for whom orally administered treatment is not an option."
Noun (thing)
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Tincture
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a solution of alcohol containing animal, vegetable or chemical drugs
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"Most herbal extracts in the form of liquids are tinctures."
Adjective
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Topical
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local, applied externally to a specific part of the body
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"Topical anesthetics are used to relieve pain from sunburn, burns and insect bites"
Adjective
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Transdermal
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applied to the skin for absorption into the blood stream
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"Nicotine patches are the most common transdermal patches in the US."
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