Pharmacology and Abbreviations

Ever wondered why some medications need a doctor's note while others don't? Prescription drugs can only be legally dispensed by a pharmacist with an order from a physician, nurse practitioner, or dentist. In contrast, OTC (over-the-counter) medications can be purchased without a prescription.

When shopping for medicine, you'll encounter both generic drugs and brand-name drugs. Generic drugs are named for their chemical structure and aren't protected by trademarks. For example, ibuprofen is a generic name. Brand-name drugs are sold under names given by manufacturers and are written with capital letters, like Advil.

Understanding important pharmacology terms can help you make better health decisions. Addiction refers to physical or psychological dependence on a medication. A palliative drug relieves symptoms but doesn't cure the underlying condition. Contraindications are reasons why a patient shouldn't take certain medications.

Did you know? A placebo is a fake medication often used in research studies to determine if a real drug's effects are actually from the drug itself or just from the patient's belief in the treatment.

Drug interactions are crucial to understand for safe medication use. When two drugs are taken together, they may cause side effects (drug interaction), do the opposite of what's expected (paradoxical reaction), or create an enhanced effect when treating the same condition (potentiation or synergism).