Unit 15: Vocabulary

Please study the 20 vocabulary terms below. Then press the Mark Complete button to continue.
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absorb
to take in or be received by chemical interaction
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The cream is absorbed directly into the skin.
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active ingredient
the chemically active part of a drug
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Benadryl's active ingredient is diphenhydramine.
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contraindications
something which makes a particular course of treatment unadvisable.
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Most drugs contain a list of contraindications on the instructions.
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dietary supplement
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.
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discontinue
to cease or stop
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You should discontinue taking the tablets if you feel any shortness of breath.
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drops
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.
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drowsiness
the state of feeling tired
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Thousands of drivers each year are killed because of drowsiness.
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effervescence tablet
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.
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fill a prescription
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.
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generic
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.
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liniment
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.
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nasal
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.
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numb
without the physical sensation of touch
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His hands were numb from the cold.
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orally
done, taken or administered through the mouth
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Pills and tablets are usually taken orally.
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over-the-counter
without a doctors' prescription but within the law
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A lot of over-the-counter medicines can now be bought online.
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side effects
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.
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suppository
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.
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tincture
a solution of alcohol containing animal, vegetable or chemical drugs
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Most herbal extracts in the form of liquids are tinctures.
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topical
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
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transdermal
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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