Pharmacology :
It is a Latin word meaning drug knowledge.
- Pharmacou = drug.
- Ology = science or knowledge.
Drug: is defined by the United States food and drug administration as “a substance or
agent used in diagnosis, cure, prevention, mitigation, or treatment of a disease of condition.”
Naming of drugs:-
1. Generic name: (chemical name), defines the chemical structure.
2. Trade name: is given by specific pharmaceutical company.
pregnancy category
A system of classifying drugs according to their established risks for use during pregnancy.
Category A: Controlled human studies have demonstrated no fetal risk. Category B: Animal
studies indicate no fetal risk, but no human studies; or adverse effects in animals, but not in wellcontrolled
human studies. Category C: No adequate human or animal studies; or adverse fetal
effects in animal studies, but no available human data. Category D: Evidence of fetal risk, but
benefits outweigh risks. Category X: Evidence of fetal risk. Risks outweigh any benefits
*Commonly used abbreviations *
Rx = symbol for a prescription
a.c. = before meals mg = milligram
alt. hor. = every other hour mcg =microgram
A.M.or a.m. = morning Meq=millieguivalent
Aq = water ml = milliliter
a.u. = each ear, both ears NG = Nasogastric
a.d. = right ear ng = nanogram
a. l. = left ear NPO = nothing by mouth
b.i.d. =two times a day o.d. = every day
BUN = blood urea nitrogen O.D. = right eye
c = with o.h. = every hour
Caps = capsules o.s., o.L. = left eye
CHF = congestive heart failure os =mouth
cm = centimeter o.u. = each eye, both eyes
oz. = once d. = day
p.c. = after meals ® = right
dc = discontinue p.o. = by mouth
dl = deciliter P.R. = by rectum
dr = dram per = by, through
elix. = elixir prn = when necessary
g (gm) = gram q = every
gr = grain q.d. = every day
gtt = a drop, drops q.h. = every bour
GU = genitourinary qhs = every night
H, hr = hour q2h = every 2 hours
h.s. = at bed time qid = 4 times daily
I.M. = intramuscular qod = every other day
I.V. = intravenous Kg = kilogram
L = liter s = without
Min = minute SS = one- half
Sc = subcutaneous Syr = syrup
SL = sublingual stat = immediately
SOS = if necessary once only tab. = tablet
Sol = solution t.i.d. = 3 times daily
Mg = microgram U = unit
V.O. = verbal order
*weights & Measures * *1 teaspoonful = about 5 ml
1 tablespoonful = about 15 ml *1 pound (lb) = 454 gram
1 drop = 1 minim *1 kg = 2.2 lebra (lb)
1 gm = 15 grains *1 ml = 15 minims
