pharmaco-, pharmac-, -pharmic

Outdated, referring to a substance that protects against or fends off the bad effects of a harmful matter: Susan suggested that they take an alexipharmacal remedy with them on their weekend trip to the desert, just in case they get bitten by a poisonous snake.

Historical, outdated, an antidote: An alexipharmic was used to expel or counteracting poison.

An alexipharmic was especially good in protecting the body from the venom of a snake.

Antidotal, alexipharmic.

The regulation of body functions by the activity of natural, endogenous, chemical constituents of the tissues.

The study of the physical and chemical properties of a drug, and its dosage form, as related to the onset, duration, and intensity of the drug action.

Growing pharmaceuticals by using genetically modified plants.

Biopharming, in which genes for pharmacologically active agents are inserted and grown in crops such as potatoes, is a rapidly expanding area.

Similar experiments are also taking place with animals. Genetically altered cows and goats can produce milk containing human proteins that can then be separated from the milk and used for therapeutics.

A branch of chronobiology concerned with the effects of drugs upon the timing of biological events and rhythms, and the relation of biological timing to the effects of drugs: Chronopharmacology is concerned with the differences in the reaction of biological methods to drugs at various times.

1. The systematic study of the use of medicinal plants by specific cultural groups.
2. The study and use of plants, fungi, animals, microorganisms, and minerals; as well as, their biological and pharmacological applications.
3. A combination of the approaches of medical anthropology, phytotherapy, and pharmaceutical science, this discipline examines medicinal plants in indigenous cultures, their bioactive compounds, and the sustainable development and the production of nature-derived therapeutics.

Ethnopharmacologists are particularly concerned with local people’s rights to further use and develop their autochthonous (place of origin; indigenous, native) resources.

Today’s ethnopharmacological research embraces multidisciplinary efforts in the:

• documentation of indigenous medical knowledge.
• scientific study of indigenous medicines in order to contribute in the long-run to improved health care in the regions of the studies.
• search for pharmacologically unique principles from existing indigenous remedies.
• combinations of such diverse fields as anthropology, pharmacology, pharmacognosy, pharmaceutical biology, natural product chemistry, toxicology, clinical research, and plant physiology.

A specialist in the action of drugs on the nervous system.

1. The study of the action of drugs on the nervous system.
2. The branch of pharmacology concerned with the effects of drugs on the nervous system.
3. The branch of pharmacology dealing especially with the action of drugs upon various parts of the nervous system.

1. A branch of medical science combining neuropharmacology and psychopharmacology.
2. The study of the effect of drugs and medicines on psychological processes.

An interdisciplinary science related to psychopharmacology (how drugs affect the mind) and fundamental neuroscience. It entails research of mechanisms of neuropathology, pharmacodynamics (drug action), psychiatric illness, and states of consciousness. These studies are instigated at the detailed level involving neurotransmission or neuroreceptor activity, bio-chemical processes, and neural circuitry.

A medicine for all diseases; a panacea.

An abbreviated form of the following: pharmacy, pharmaceutical, and pharmacopeia.

A reference to pharmacy or to drugs.

1. Of or relating to pharmacy or pharmacists.
2. A pharmaceutical product or preparation.
3. Relating to, or engaged in pharmacy or the manufacture and sale of pharmaceuticals.