American Medical Association Family Medical Guide - American Medical Association [820]
progestins Hormone drugs. Progesterone (a female sex hormone) or progesteronelike medications that have the same effects as natural progesterone. Used to treat bleeding of the uterus, endometriosis, and abnormalities in the menstrual cycle, and to prevent miscarriage. Protect the lining of the uterus from the effect of estrogens in hormone therapy.
prostaglandins Act like naturally occurring hormonelike prostaglandins (substances that have many functions in the body, including controlling blood pressure, stimulating muscle contractions, and triggering inflammation). Stimulate strong contractions of the uterus and relax the smooth muscle of blood vessels. Used to induce labor at full term and as abortifacients. Also used to treat glaucoma.
protease inhibitors Prevent T cells (a type of infection-fighting white blood cell) that have been infected with HIV from producing new copies of the virus. Used in combination with other drugs to block the replication of HIV in an infected person’s blood.
proton pump inhibitors Inhibit the production of stomach acid. Used to treat conditions such as heartburn, peptic ulcers, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), in which the stomach produces too much acid.
psoralens Slow the growth and multiplication of skin cells and stimulate the production of skin pigment. Used to treat the skin conditions psoriasis and vitiligo.
psychotropics Affect the mind. Include antianxiety drugs, antidepressants, antipsychotics, and sleep medications. Used to induce sleep and to treat anxiety, depression, and other mental disorders.
Q
quinolones Broad-spectrum antibiotics. Used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections. Include ciprofloxacin.
S
salicylates Relieve pain and reduce fever. Used to relieve swelling, stiffness, and joint pain. Include aspirin.
sedatives Produce a calming, relaxing effect. Include antianxiety drugs, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, sleep medications, and tranquilizers. Some sedatives (such as analgesics, antihistamines, and muscle relaxants) cause sedation as a secondary effect.
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) Antidepressants. Increase the availability of serotonin (a chemical messenger in the brain). Used to treat depression. Have fewer side effects than other antidepressants.
sleep medications Psychotropics; sedatives. Used to induce sleep. Include antianxiety drugs and barbiturates. Should be taken only for short periods and discontinued gradually under doctor’s supervision. Restlessness and vivid dreams may persist for weeks after discontinuation.
SSRIs See selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.
statins Lipid-lowering drugs. Inhibit an enzyme that controls the rate of cholesterol production, and stimulate the liver to remove bad low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol from the blood. Used to lower cholesterol in the blood.
stimulants Increase central nervous system activity to promote wakefulness and enhance thought processes. Used to overcome attention deficit disorders and the sleep disorder narcolepsy. Include amphetamines and xanthines.
sulfa drugs Antibiotics. Used to prevent or treat bacterial infections.
sulfonylureas Antidiabetic drugs. Stimulate the pancreas to release more insulin into the bloodstream, effectively lowering blood glucose. Used to treat type 2 diabetes.
T
tetracyclines Broad-spectrum antibiotics. Used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections, including acne, bronchitis, and many sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
thrombolytics Used to help dissolve blood clots in the lungs. Often given intravenously (through a vein) during a heart attack to dissolve a clot that is blocking a coronary artery. May cause bleeding in some people. Include streptokinase and tissue plasminogen activator.
tranquilizers Produce a calming effect. Antianxiety drugs are sometimes called minor tranquilizers; antipsychotics are sometimes called