pharmacology

phar·ma·col·o·gy

noun \ˌfär-mə-ˈkä-lə-jē\

Definition of PHARMACOLOGY

1

: the science of drugs including their origin, composition, pharmacokinetics, therapeutic use, and toxicology

2

: the properties and reactions of drugs especially with relation to their therapeutic value

— phar·ma·co·log·i·cal \-kə-ˈlä-ji-kəl\ also phar·ma·co·log·ic \-jik\ adjective

— phar·ma·co·log·i·cal·ly \-ji-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

— phar·ma·col·o·gist \-ˈkä-lə-jist\ noun

Examples of PHARMACOLOGY

1. We don't have a complete understanding of the new drug's pharmacology yet.

First Known Use of PHARMACOLOGY

1704

Rhymes with PHARMACOLOGY

anthropology, archaeology, cardiology, climatology, cosmetology, criminology, dermatology, Egyptology, entomology, eschatology, etiology, etymology, futurology, genealogy, gerontology, glaciology, gynecology, hematology, herpetology, ideology, immunology, kremlinology, laryngology, lexicology, Mariology, martyrology, methodology, mineralogy, musicology, numerology, oceanology, ophthalmology, ornithology, phraseology, physiology, primatology, radiology, reflexology, rheumatology, semiology, sociology, terminology, thanatology, toxicology, urbanology, volcanology, vulcanology

phar·ma·col·o·gy

noun \ˌfär-mə-ˈkäl-ə-jē\   (Medical Dictionary)

plural ; phar·ma·col·o·gies

Medical Definition of PHARMACOLOGY

1

: the science of drugs including their origin, composition, pharmacokinetics, therapeutic use, and toxicology

2

: the properties and reactions of drugs especially with relation to their therapeutic value

—phar·ma·co·log·i·cal \-kə-ˈläj-i-kəl\ (audio pronunciation) also phar·ma·co·log·ic \-ik\ (audio pronunciation) adjective

—phar·ma·co·log·i·cal·ly \-i-k(ə-)lē\ (audio pronunciation) adverb

pharmacology

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Branch of medicine dealing with the actions of drugs in the body—both therapeutic and toxic effects—and development and testing of new drugs and new uses of existing ones. Though the first Western pharmacological treatise (a listing of herbal plants) was compiled in the 1st century AD, scientific pharmacology was possible only from the 18th century on, when drugs could be purified and standardized. Pharmacologists develop drugs from plant and animal sources and create synthetic versions of these, along with new drugs based on them or their chemical structure. They also test drugs, first in vitro (in the laboratory) for biochemical activity and then in vivo (on animals, human volunteers, and patients) for safety, effectiveness, side effects, and interactions with other drugs and to find the best dose, timing, and route (mouth, injection, etc.). Drug products are constantly tested for potency and purity. See also drug poisoning; pharmacy; pharmaceutical industry.