Palliative
/ˈpæliətɪv/
Relieving symptoms rather than curing.
Pancytopenia
/ˌpænsaɪtoʊˈpiːniə/
Deficiency of all blood cells.
Parenteral
/pəˈrɛntərəl/
Administered elsewhere than the mouth.
Paresthesia
par-es-THEE-zhuh
Abnormal tingling sensation.
Partial agonist
/ˈpɑːrʃəl ˈæɡənɪst/
Drug producing partial response.
Passive transport
/ˈpæsɪv ˈtrænspɔːrt/
Movement across membranes without energy.
Pathogen
/ˈpæθədʒən/
Disease-causing microorganism.
Peak concentration
/piːk ˌkɒnsənˈtreɪʃən/
Highest plasma drug level.
Peripheral nervous system
/pəˈrɪfərəl ˈnɜːrvəs ˈsɪstəm/
Nerves outside brain and spine.
Pharmacodynamics
/ˌfɑːrməkoʊdaɪˈnæmɪks/
Study of drug effects on the body.
Pharmacogenetics
/ˌfɑːrməkoʊdʒəˈnɛtɪks/
Genetics' effect on drug response.
Pharmacokinetics
/ˌfɑːrməkoʊkɪˈnɛtɪks/
Study of drug movement in the body.
Placebo
/pləˈsiːboʊ/
Substance with no therapeutic effect.
Plasma protein binding
/ˈplæzmə ˈproʊˌtiːn ˈbaɪndɪŋ/
Drug attachment to blood proteins.
Polypharmacy
/ˌpɒliˈfɑːrməsi/
Simultaneous use of multiple drugs.
Potency
/ˈpoʊtənsi/
Measure of drug activity/strength.
Potentiation
/pəˌtɛnʃiˈeɪʃən/
Greater response from drug combination.
Prodrug
/ˈproʊdrʌɡ/
Inactive compound metabolized to drug.
Prophylaxis
/ˌproʊfɪˈlæksɪs/
Action taken to prevent disease.
Pruritus
/pruːˈraɪtəs/
Severe itching of the skin.