ENGLISH FOR PHARMACISTS | Topic: Pharmacy-related words/expressions (basic) - vocabulary matching 2
💬 Professional English in practice
Register: With patients, swap clinical terms for plain language: drowsy → "you may feel sleepy"; therapeutic → "this helps treat..."; active ingredient → "the part that actually works." Reserve the clinical terms for documentation and colleague conversations.
Collocations: Side effect → common/rare/serious side effect, experience a side effect. Dose → recommended dose, maximum dose, miss a dose, double dose. Over-the-counter → available over-the-counter, OTC medication, buy OTC.
Pronunciation: Antidepressant — an-tee-dih-PRES-unt. Therapeutic — ther-uh-PYOO-tik. Sedative — SED-uh-tiv.
Register: With patients, swap clinical terms for plain language: drowsy → "you may feel sleepy"; therapeutic → "this helps treat..."; active ingredient → "the part that actually works." Reserve the clinical terms for documentation and colleague conversations.
Collocations: Side effect → common/rare/serious side effect, experience a side effect. Dose → recommended dose, maximum dose, miss a dose, double dose. Over-the-counter → available over-the-counter, OTC medication, buy OTC.
Pronunciation: Antidepressant — an-tee-dih-PRES-unt. Therapeutic — ther-uh-PYOO-tik. Sedative — SED-uh-tiv.
READY TO PRACTICE? LET’S GO!
Match each definition with the letter of one of the following:
a - antidepressant (n.)
b - over-the-counter (adj.)
c - side effect
d - dose (n.)
e - generic drug
f - drowsy (adj.)
g - fever
h - active ingredient
i - sedative
j - therapeutic (adj.)
1. available without a prescription → ✓
2. the amount of medicine to be taken → ✓
3. having the ability to heal → ✓
4. an abnormally high body temperature → ✓
5. an undesired effect resulting from a medication → ✓
6. medicine that treats depression → ✓
7. the opposite of a "brand name" drug → ✓
8. medicine that calms you down → ✓
9. sleepy → ✓
10. the substance in a pharmaceutical drug that is biologically active → ✓
VOCABULARY REVIEW: Pharmacy
Need to review common terms in used by pharmacists in English? We've got you covered!
Prescription
Definition: A written or electronic order from a licensed healthcare provider authorizing a patient to receive a specific medication.
Example: The pharmacist verified the prescription before dispensing the medication.
Dosage
Definition: The amount of a medication to be taken at one time or over a specific period.
Example: The correct dosage for children is lower than for adults.
Contraindication
Definition: A condition or factor that makes a particular medication unsafe for a patient.
Example: Pregnancy is a contraindication for this medication.
Adverse reaction
Definition: An unexpected or harmful response to a medication.
Example: The patient reported an adverse reaction after taking the antibiotic.
Over-the-counter (OTC)
Definition: Medications that can be purchased without a prescription.
Example: Ibuprofen is available over-the-counter in most countries.
Dispense
Definition: To prepare and provide medication to a patient as prescribed.
Example: The pharmacist dispensed the medication with clear instructions.
Compliance (Adherence)
Definition: How well a patient follows prescribed treatment instructions.
Example: Poor compliance can reduce the effectiveness of the therapy.
Drug interaction
Definition: A situation in which one medication affects the action of another.
Example: The pharmacist warned the patient about a possible drug interaction.
Side effect
Definition: A secondary, often unintended effect of a medication.
Example: Drowsiness is a common side effect of this antihistamine.
Generic drug
Definition: A medication equivalent to a brand-name drug but usually less expensive.
Example: The generic drug contains the same active ingredient.
Need to review common terms in used by pharmacists in English? We've got you covered!
Prescription
Definition: A written or electronic order from a licensed healthcare provider authorizing a patient to receive a specific medication.
Example: The pharmacist verified the prescription before dispensing the medication.
Dosage
Definition: The amount of a medication to be taken at one time or over a specific period.
Example: The correct dosage for children is lower than for adults.
Contraindication
Definition: A condition or factor that makes a particular medication unsafe for a patient.
Example: Pregnancy is a contraindication for this medication.
Adverse reaction
Definition: An unexpected or harmful response to a medication.
Example: The patient reported an adverse reaction after taking the antibiotic.
Over-the-counter (OTC)
Definition: Medications that can be purchased without a prescription.
Example: Ibuprofen is available over-the-counter in most countries.
Dispense
Definition: To prepare and provide medication to a patient as prescribed.
Example: The pharmacist dispensed the medication with clear instructions.
Compliance (Adherence)
Definition: How well a patient follows prescribed treatment instructions.
Example: Poor compliance can reduce the effectiveness of the therapy.
Drug interaction
Definition: A situation in which one medication affects the action of another.
Example: The pharmacist warned the patient about a possible drug interaction.
Side effect
Definition: A secondary, often unintended effect of a medication.
Example: Drowsiness is a common side effect of this antihistamine.
Generic drug
Definition: A medication equivalent to a brand-name drug but usually less expensive.
Example: The generic drug contains the same active ingredient.
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