Pharmaceutical Terms

Task 20. Memorize the following expressions before reading an extract from a direction to a medicine. They will help you to comprehend a direction better:

it exerts its therapeutic effect вій виявляє свої ліку­вальні властивості

to stimulate adrenocortical function сприяти виділен­ню-гормонів кори надниркових залоз to have a direct influence on smth. безпосередньо впливати на щось

to yield better results than corticosteroids давати кращі результати, ніж кортикостероїди (стероїдні гор­мони, що їх виділяє кора надниркових залоз) long-term treatment тривале лікування the pituitary remains largely unaffected нижній мозковий придаток (гіпофіз) залишається в основному иеураженим

Is administered by the intramuscular route вводиться внутрішньом’язово

an acute exacerbation значне загострення (хвороби) retrobulbar (optic) neuritis ретробульбарний неврит Guillain-Barre syndrome гострий первинний ідіопа- тичний полірадикулоневрит (синдром Гійєна—Барре, синдром Штроля)

chorea minor [ko'ria 'mains] захворювання нервової системи людини, що характеризується мимовільним сіпанням, гримасами, причмокуванням slightly opalescent suspension мутнувата суспензія to give rise to side effects спричинити побічну дію to be part and parcel of smth. бути невід’ємною частиною чогось

severe anaphylactic shock сильний анафілактичний шок (вид алергії)

Task 21. Memorize these equivalents. They will help you to understand the etymology of some medical terms:

Greek Latin English Ukrainian idio	proprius, a, um	own; indivi­	власний
4		dual
narco	stupor, oris m	numbness,	оніміння
		stupor
hypso	altitude, inis f	height	висота
tetra	quattuor	quater; four	чверть; чотири
porosis	porositas, atis f passage		прохід; канал
pneo, -pnea	spiratio, onis f	breathing	дихання
cyclo-	rotundus, a, um	round; circle	круглий; коло
trias	tres	three; thrice	три

Task 22. Read an extract from a direction to a medicine and get ready to answer the comprehension questions:

Synacthen depot

P

4*

roperties. It exerts therapeutic effect chiefly by stimulating adrenocortical function. It is possible that Synacthen De­pot may also have a direct influence on the central nervous I issues which might explain why the drug has been found to yield better results than corticosteroids in certain neuro­logical disorders. Even during long-term treatment with Synacthen Depot the adrenal cortex continues to function efficiently and the pituitary remains largely unaffected. Absorption on to an inorganic zinc complex ensures pro-

99tracted release of the active substance and thus a prolonged duration of action. Following an intramuscular injection of 1 mg. Synacthen Depot the plasma cortisol concentration remains elevated for 24 — 36 hours, but the clinical response usually persists for a longer time. Synacthen Depot is ad­ministered by the intramuscular route; for intravenous use Synacthen is available.

Indications. Neurological diseases: acute exa­cerbations in patients suffering from multiple sclerosis, in­cluding retrobulbar neuritis; certain forms of polyneuritis, including especially Guillain-Barre syndrome (polyradiculo­neuritis); peripheral facial paralysis; infantile spasms with hypsarrhythmia; chorea minor; acute encephalitis; myasthe­nia gravis; cerebral oedema.

Contraindications. Absolute: hypersensitivity to tetra- cosactide, acute psychoses, infectious diseases (unless antibiotics are being administered at the same time), peptic ulcer, Cushing’s syndrome and heart failure. Relative: Hypersensitivity to ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone)² of animal origin. Pa­tients already receiving medication for diabetes mellitus or for moderate to severe hypertension must have their dosages read­justed if treatment with Synacthen Depot is instituted. Pregnancy. Synacthen Depot is contraindicated during pregnancy.

Dosage and administration. Adults: initially 1 mg i.m. daily; in acute cases, as well as in patients with tumours, treat­ment can be started with 1 mg every 12 hours. Once the acute manifestation have subsided, the usual dosage for the continua­tion of treatment is 1 mg every 2 — 3 days; in patients who respond well, it is often possible to reduce the dose to as little as 0.5 mg every 2 — 3 days or 1 mg weekly. Infants: ini­tially 0.25 mg i. m. daily: for maintenance purposes, 0.25 mg every 2—8 days. Small children: initially 0.25—0.5mg i. m. daily; for maintenance purposes, 0.25 — 0.5 mg every 2—8.days. Children of school age: initially 0.25— 1 mg i. m. daily; for maintenance purposes, 0.25— 1 mg every 2—8 days. The ampoule containing the relatively thin, slightly opalescent suspension should be shaken before use. The prepa­ration should be stored in a refrigerator (2 —8°C).

Side effects. Synacthen Depot is liable to give rise to side effects which are part and parcel of the drug’s hormonal activity — e. g. sodium and water retension, elevation of blood pressure, hypokalaemia, hyperglycaemia, osteoporosis, Cushing’s syndrome, increased susceptibility to infection, psychic changes, peptic ulcers, and hyperpigmentation.

Overdosage. In patients developing Signs of water réten­tion (increase in body weight) or of excessive adrenocortical activity (Cushing’s syndrome), Synaethen Depot should be withdrawn for a time or, alternatively, given in reduced doses either by halving the dosage or by prolonging the interval between injections to, say, 5 - 7 days.

Note. In rare cases — particularly in patients subject to asthma and/or other forms of allergy — severe anaphylactic shock reactions may occur. Such reactions set in usually within 30 minutes after administration of Synaethen Depot. Synaethen Depot should therefore be administered under medical supervision and the patient appropriately observed. The doctor should make every effort to find out whether the patient has a history of allergic disorders and whether, in particular, he has previously experienced adverse réactions to Synaethen or other drugs. In patients with a history of aller­gic disorders, Including especially asthmatics, treatment with Synaethen Depot should be resorted to only if other thera­peutic measures have failed to elicit the desired response and if the condition is severe enough to warrant such medication. Anaphylactic reactions — can largely be avoided by dis­continuing the treatment at the very first sign of any local or systemic hypersensitivity reaction. Reactions of this type include: marked redness and pain at the injection site, urti­caria, pruritis, flushing, severe malaise, or dyspnoea.

Storage. Protect from light and store in a refrigerator (2 — 8°C).

Packages. Ampoules containing 1 mg and 0.5 mg per ml of suspension; vials of 2 ml containing 2 mg.

Notes

¹Cushing’s syndrome — a disorder of the adrenal cortex, characterized by obesity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, etc.

²ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone) — hormone which stimulates the outer section of the adrenal glads; it is secreted by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland

Task 23. Answer the comprehension questions. Choose the answers below and comment upon a direction:

1. What are the main properties of Synaethen Depot con­cerning the central nervous tissues? 2. What ensures pro­tracted release of the active substance and a prolonged dura­tion of action? 3. By what route is Synaethen Depot admin­istered? 4. What are the indications of Synaethen Depot con­cerning neurological diseases? 5. In what case is Synaethen

Depot contraindicated for women? 6. What is the dosage for infants? 7. What are the side effects of Synacthen Depot?

(a — multiple sclerosis, certain forms of polyneuritis, cho­rea minor, etc.; b — during pregnancy; c — 0.25 mg i. m. daily; d — elevation of blood pressure; sodium and water retention, hypokalaemia, hyperglycaemia, osteoporosis, peptic ulcers, etc.; e Щduring treatment with Synacthen Depot the adrenal cortex continues to function efficiently and the pi­tuitary remains largely unaffected; f — by the intramuscu­lar route; g — adsorbtion on to an inorganic zinc complex)

Task 24. Try to memorize some pharmaceutical terms:

a one percent solution of purified sulfur однопроцентний розчин очищеної сірки peach oil персикова олія

overdoses of drugs надмірні дози лікарських препаратів a tranquilizer — any of certain drugs used as a calming agent in relieving and controlling various emotional distur­bances, anxiety neuroses certain psychoses, etc. sedative igjf^ having the property of lessening excitement, nervousness, or irritation sleeping pills снодійні лікарські препарати (пілюлі, таб­летки)

hypotensive drugs гіпотензивні лікарські препарати antidepressant — designating or of any drug used primari­ly to treat emotional depression serotonin — a chemical transmitter of nerve impulses; a complex amine found in blood, the brain, etc. or produced synthetically. It constricts the blood vessels and contracts smooth muscle tissue and is important in mental activity noxious dose ['nokjas] згубна доза

Task 25. Read a direction to a medicine Carbrital and get ready to answer the questions and comment upon it: