antihistamine(AN-tee-HIS-tuh-meen) A type of drug that blocks the action of histamines, which can cause fever, itching, sneezing, a runny nose, and watery eyes.
antihormone therapy(AN-tee-HOR-mone THAYR-uh-pee) Treatment with drugs, surgery, or radiation in order to block the production or action of a hormone.
antimetaboliteA drug that is very similar to natural chemicals in a normal biochemical reaction in cells but different enough to interfere with the normal division and…
antimicrobial(AN-tee-my-KROH-bee-ul) A substance that kills microorganisms such as bacteria or mold, or stops them from growing and causing disease.
Antimicrobial agentsThe drugs, chemicals, or other substances that kill or slow the growth of microbes.
Antimicrobial resistanceAntimicrobial resistance is the result of microbes changing in ways that reduce or eliminate the effectiveness of drugs, chemicals, or other agents to…
antimicrotubule agentA type of drug that blocks cell growth by stopping mitosis (cell division). Antimicrotubule agents interfere with microtubules (cellular structures that…
antimitotic agentA type of drug that blocks cell growth by stopping mitosis (cell division). They are used to treat cancer. Also called mitotic inhibitor.
antineoplasticA substance that blocks the formation of neoplasms (growths that may become cancerous).
antineoplastic antibioticA type of anticancer drug that blocks cell growth by interfering with DNA, the genetic material in cells.
antineoplastonA substance isolated from normal human blood and urine that is being tested as a type of treatment for some tumors and AIDS.
antioncogene(AN-tee-ON-koh-jeen) A type of gene that makes a protein called a tumor suppressor protein that helps control cell growth.
antioxidant(AN-tee-OK-sih-dent) A substance that protects cells from the damage caused by free radicals (unstable molecules made by the process of oxidation during…
antiparasiticA drug used to treat infections caused by bacteria and parasites. It is also used in the treatment of some cancers.
antiprogestin(AN-tee-proh-JES-tin) A substance that prevents cells from making or using progesterone (a hormone that plays a role in the menstrual cycle and pregnancy).
AntiretroviralA substance that fights against a retrovirus, such as HIV. (See Retrovirus)
antiretroviral therapy(AN-tee-REH-troh-VY-rul THAYR-uh-pee) Treatment with drugs that inhibit the ability of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or other types of…
antisense c-fosSynthetic genetic material that may slow or stop the growth of cancer cells.
antisense DNA(AN-tee-sents â¦) Small pieces of DNA that can bind to specific molecules of RNA and block the cell's ability to use the RNA to make a protein.
antisense RNA(AN-tee-sents â¦) Small pieces of RNA that can bind to specific molecules of RNA and block the cell's ability to use the RNA to make a protein.
antithymocyte globulin(AN-tee-THIGH-mo-site GLOB-yoo-lin) A protein used to reduce the risk of or to treat graft-versus-host disease.
antituberculosis(AN-tee-too-ber-kyoo-LOW-sis) Describes a drug or effect that works against tuberculosis (a contagious bacterial infection that usually affects the lungs).
antitumor(AN-tee-TOO-mer) Having to do with stopping abnormal cell growth.
antitumor antibioticA type of anticancer drug that blocks cell growth by interfering with DNA, the genetic material in cells.
antiviralA drug used to treat infections caused by viruses.
Anus(AY-nus) The opening of the rectum to the outside of the body.
anxiety(ang-ZY-uh-tee) Feelings of fear, dread, and uneasiness that may occur as a reaction to stress.
anxiolyticA drug used in the treatment of anxiety and muscle spasms.
Anzemet(AN-zeh-met) A drug used to treat nausea and vomiting caused by cancer treatment. It is a type of serotonin receptor antagonist and a type of antiemetic.
aorta(a-OR-tuh) The largest artery in the body. It carries oxygen-rich blood away from the heart to vessels that reach the rest of the body.
aortocoronary bypass(ay-OR-toh-KOR-uh-NAYR-ee BY-pass) Surgery in which a healthy blood vessel taken from another part of the body is used to make a new path for blood around…
AP23573A drug used to treat soft tissue and bone sarcomas. It is also being studied in the treatment of other solid tumors and hematologic cancer.
AP5346A substance being studied in the treatment of head and neck cancer. It may kill cancer cells by carrying an anticancer drug into the tumor.
APCA cell that shows an antigen on its surface to other cells of the immune system. This is an important part of an immune response.
APC vaccineA vaccine made of antigens and antigen-presenting cells (APCs). Also called antigen-presenting cell vaccine.
APC8015A vaccine made from immune system cells collected from a patient with prostate cancer.
APC8015FA vaccine made from immune system cells taken from a patient with prostate cancer and frozen for future use.
ApheresisA procedure in which blood is collected, part of the blood such as platelets or white blood cells is taken out, and the rest of the blood is returned to…
APLAn aggressive (fast-growing) type of acute myeloid leukemia in which there are too many immature blood-forming cells in the blood and bone marrow.
aplastic anemiaA condition in which the bone marrow is unable to produce blood cells.
aplidineA substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It is obtained from a marine organism.
apocrine glandA type of gland that is found in the skin, breast, eyelid, and ear. Apocrine glands in the breast secrete fat droplets into breast milk and those in the…
Apocrine Metaplasia(ay'-po-krin meh"-tuh-play'-shuh) occurs when tubules of the breast change from their normal epithelium (tissue) to that of an apocrine sweat gland.
apolizumabA type of monoclonal antibody that is being studied as a treatment for hematologic (blood) cancers.
apoptosis(A-pop-TOH-sis) A type of cell death in which a series of molecular steps in a cell leads to its death.
appendectomy(A-pen-DEK-toh-mee) Surgery to remove the appendix (small finger-shaped pouch at the end of the first part of the large intestine).
AppendixA small, fingerlike pouch that sticks out from the cecum (the first part of the large intestine near the end of the small intestine).
appetite(A-peh-tite) A desire to satisfy a physical or mental need, such as for food, sex, or adventure.
ApplicationUnder the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA), an oral or written request for an extension of credit that is made in accordance with the procedures…
Approval HistoryThe approval history is a chronological list of all FDA actions involving one drug product having a particular FDA Application number (NDA).
Approval LetterAn official communication from FDA to a new drug application (NDA) sponsor that allows the commercial marketing of the product.
aprepitant(uh-PREH-pih-tunt) A drug used to prevent and control the nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy.
arctigeninA substance found in certain plants, including burdock. It has shown antiviral and anticancer effects.
arctiinA substance found in certain plants, including burdock. It has shown anticancer effects. Arctiin belongs to a group of substances called lignans.
Areola(a-REE-o-la) The area of dark-colored skin on the breast that surrounds the nipple.
arginine(AR-jih-neen) One of the twenty common amino acids (building blocks of proteins).
arginine butyrateA substance that is being studied in the treatment of cancer.
argon beam coagulator ablation(AR-gon beem coh-A-gyuh-LAY-ter uh-BLAY-shun) A procedure that destroys tissue with an electrical current passed through a stream of argon gas to the…
Arixtra(uh-RIKS-truh) A drug used to prevent blood clots from forming inside blood vessels in the leg.
Aromasin(uh-ROH-muh-sin) A drug used to treat advanced breast cancer and to prevent recurrent breast cancer in postmenopausal women who have already been treated…
aromatase inhibitor(uh-ROH-muh-tayz in-HIH-bih-ter) A drug that prevents the formation of estradiol, a female hormone, by interfering with an aromatase enzyme.
aromatherapist(uh-ROH-muh-THAYR-uh-pist) A person who practices a type of complementary medicine called aromatherapy.
aromatherapy(uh-ROH-muh-THAYR-uh-pee) A type of complementary and alternative medicine that uses plant oils that give off strong pleasant aromas (smells) to promote…
aromatherapy infusion(uh-ROH-muh-THAYR-uh-pee in-FYOO-zhun) The process of heating (without boiling) a mixture of water and an essential oil (scented liquid taken from a…
aromatherapy massage(uh-ROH-muh THAYR-uh-pee muh-SAZH) A type of complementary and alternative medicine that uses rubbing and kneading of the skin with plant oils that give…
aromatic(A-ruh-MA-tik) Having an odor, which often is pleasant or spicy.
arousal(uh-ROW-zul) The state of being alert and ready to respond, or waking from sleep.
Arranon(AYR-rah-non) A drug used to treat certain types of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) and T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma (T-LBL).
arrhenoblastoma(uh-REE-noh-blas-TOH-muh) A rare type of ovarian tumor in which the tumor cells secrete a male sex hormone.
arsenicA poisonous chemical used to kill weeds and pests. Also used in cancer therapy.
arsenic trioxide(AR-seh-nik try-OK-side) A drug used to treat acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) that has not gotten better or that has come back after treatment with…
ArtemisininsA class of drugs used for the treatment (not prevention) of malaria usually as a part of a combination therapy, derived from the sweet wormwood or Qinghao…
arterial embolization(ar-TEER-ee-ul EM-boh-lih-ZAY-zhun) The blocking of an artery by a clot of foreign material.
arteriogram(ar-TEER-ee-oh-gram) An x-ray of arteries. The person receives an injection of a dye that outlines the vessels on the x-ray.
arteriography(ar-TEE-ree-AH-gruh-fee) A procedure to x-ray arteries. The arteries can be seen because of an injection of a dye that outlines the vessels on the x-ray.
artery(AR-tuh-ree) A blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to tissues and organs in the body.
arthritisA disease that causes inflammation and pain in the joints.
artificial pacemaker(AR-tih-FIH-shul PAYS-may-ker) An electronic device that is implanted in the body to monitor heart rate and rhythm.
arzoxifene hydrochloride(ar-ZOX-ih-feen HY-droh-KLOR-ide) A substance being studied in the treatment of osteoporosis and breast cancer.
asbestosA toxic material that was once used in housing insulation and fireproofing. Because some forms of asbestos have been linked to certain lung diseases, it…
asbestosis(as-bes-TOH-sis) A lung disease caused by breathing in particles of asbestos (a group of minerals that take the form of tiny fibers).
ascites(uh-SY-teez) Abnormal buildup of fluid in the abdomen that may cause swelling. In late-stage cancer, tumor cells may be found in the fluid in the abdomen.
ascorbic acid(uh-SKOR-bik A-sid) One of several vitamins that the body needs in small amounts to function and stay healthy.
asparaginase(as-PA-ruh-jih-nayz) A drug that is used to treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and is being studied in the treatment of some other types of cancer.
aspartate transaminaseAn enzyme found in the liver, heart, and other tissues. A high level of aspartate transaminase released into the blood may be a sign of liver or heart…
aspergillosisAn infectious fungal disease that occurs most often in the skin, ears, nasal sinuses, and lungs of people with suppressed immune systems.
Aspergillus(A-sper-JIH-lus) Fungi commonly found in soil. Certain types of Aspergillus may cause disease, especially in people who have suppressed immune systems.
aspirate(AS-pi-rit) Fluid withdrawn from a lump (often a cyst) or a nipple.
Aspiration(as-per-AY-shun) Removal of fluid or tissue through a needle. Also, the accidental breathing in of food or fluid into the lungs.
aspirinA drug that reduces pain, fever, inflammation, and blood clotting. Aspirin belongs to the family of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents.
assay(AS-say) A laboratory test to find and measure the amount of a specific substance.
AssessmentCharges levied against a property for tax purposes or to pay for municipal or association improvements such as curbs, sewers, or grounds maintenance.
assistive device(uh-SISS-tivâ¦) A tool that helps a person with a disability to do a certain task.
assistive technology(uh-SIS-tiv tek-NAH-loh-jee) Any device or technology that helps a disabled person.