Drug Glossary and Definition
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Pharmacist's Guide
Table of Contents
- Drug List and Classification
- Drug Prescription for Disease
- Drug Over-the-Counter (OTC)
- Drug Prescription Abbreviations and Meanings
- Drug Schedules to the Rules
- Drug Mechanism of Action (MOA)
- Drug Glossary and Definition
- Medical Abbreviations
- Pharmacist Role
- Dosage Forms
Medical Glossary - M
| Macrolides | A class of antibiotic (antibacterial) drugs. They include azithromycin, clarithromycin, dirithromycin, erythromycin, fidaxomicin, and telithromycin. |
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| Male Hormones | Chemical substances secreted by the testicles, ovaries and adrenal glands in humans. Some male hormones used by humans are derived synthetically. Male hormones include testosterone cypionate and estradiol cypionate, testosterone enanthate and estradiol valerate. |
| Mania | A mood disturbance characterized by euphoria, agitation, elation, irritability, rapid and confused speech and excessive activity. Mania usually occurs as part of bipolar (manic-depressive) disorder. |
| Manic-Depressive Illness | Psychosis with alternating cycles of excessive enthusiasm and depression. |
| MAO Inhibitors | See Monoamine Oxidase (MAO) Inhibitors. |
| Mast Cell | Connective tissue cell. |
| Medication Guide | A medication guide contains information for patients on how to safely use a drug product. |
| Meglitinides | Drugs that stimulate the pancreas to produce insulin. Used to treat Type II (non-insulin dependent) diabetes. These drugs include repaglinide and nateglinide. |
| Menopause | The end of menstruation in the female, often accompanied by irritability, hot flashes, changes in the skin and bones and vaginal dryness. |
| Metabolism | Process of using nutrients and energy to build and break down wastes. |
| Migraine Headaches | Periodic headaches caused by constriction of arteries to the skull. Symptoms include severe pain, vision disturbances, nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light. |
| Mind-Altering Drugs | Any drugs that decrease alertness, perception, concentration, contact with reality or muscular coordination. |
| Mineral Supplements | Mineral substances added to the diet to treat or prevent mineral deficiencies. They include iron, copper, magnesium, calcium, etc. |
| Monoamine Oxidase (MAO) Inhibitors | Drugs that prevent the activity of the enzyme monoamine oxidase (MAO) in brain tissue. MAO inhibitors include drugs that treat depression, Parkinson’s and other conditions. MAOs can cause dangerous interactions with certain foods, beverages and other drugs. Drugs in this class include furazolidone, isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue, phenelzine, procarbazine, rasagiline, selegiline, St. John’s wort (acts similar to MAO inhibitors), tranylcypromine. |
| Muscle Blockers | Same as muscle relaxants or skeletal muscle relaxants. |
| Muscle Relaxants | Medicines used to lessen painful contractions and spasms of muscles. These include atracurium, carisoprodol, chlorphenesin, chlorzoxazone, cyclobenzaprine, metaxalone, methocarbamol, metocurine, orphenadrine citrate, orphenadrine hydrochloride, pancuronium, phenytoin, succinylcholine, tubocurarine, vecuronium. |
| Myasthenia Gravis | Disease of the muscles characterized by fatigue and progressive paralysis. It is usually confined to muscles of the face, lips, tongue and neck. |
| Mydriatics | Eye drops that cause the pupils to dilate (become larger) to a marked degree. |
