5-ASA 5-aminosalicylic acid
5-HT 5-hydroxytryptamine
6MP 6-mercaptopurine
8-MOP 8-methoxypsoralen
ABCD disc-shaped cholesteryl sulphate–amphotericin B complexes
ACCP American College of Chest Physicians
ACE angiotensin-converting enzyme
ACEI angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor
ACS acute coronary syndrome
AD Alzheimer’s disease
ADAS-cog Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale – cognitive subscale
ADL activities of daily living
ADP adenosine diphosphate
ADR adverse drug reaction
AED antiepileptic drug
AF atrial fibrillation
AGE advanced glycation end-product
AIDS acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
ALD alcoholic liver disease
ALG anti-lymphocyte immunoglobulin
ALP alkaline phosphatase
ALT alanine aminotransferase
AMI acute myocardial infarction
AMP adenosine monophosphate
AMTS Abbreviated Mental Test Score
ANA antinuclear antibody
ANC absolute neutrophil count
APD automated peritoneal dialysis
APTT activated partial thromboplastin time
ARB angiotensin receptor blocker
ARCD age-related cognitive decline
ARF acute renal failure
ARR absolute risk reduction
AST aspartate aminotransferase
ATG anti-thymocyte immunoglobulin
AUC area under the curve
BAD British Associaton of Dermatologists
BCG Bacillus Calmette–Guérin
BCIS British Cardiovascular Intervention Society
B-CLL B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia
BHIVA British HIV Association
BHS British Hypertension Society
BMD bone mineral density
BMI body mass index
BNF British National Formulary
BP blood pressure/British Pharmacopoeia
bpm beats per minute
BPSD behavioural and psychological symptoms in dementia
BSG British Society of Gastroenterologists
BSR British Society for Rheumatology
BTS British Thoracic Society
CABG coronary artery bypass grafting
CAN chronic allograft neuropathy
CAPD continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis
CAST Chinese Acute Stroke Trial
CBT cognitive behavioural therapy
CCB calcium-channel blocker
CCF congestive cardiac failure
CD controlled drug/Crohn’s disease
CDAI Crohn’s Disease Activity Index
CDS continuous dopaminergic stimulation
CFC chlorofluorocarbon
CHD coronary heart disease
ChEI cholinesterase inhibitor
CIBIC Clinician’s Interview-based Impression of Change
CIN contrast-induced nephropathy
CISH chromogenic in situ hybridisation
CK creatine kinase
CKD chronic kidney disease
CK-MB creatine kinase isoenzyme specific for myocardium
CK-MB% CK-MB expressed as a percentage of total CK
CMV cytomegalovirus
CNI calcineurin inhibitor
CNS central nervous system
COMT catechol-O-methyl-transferase
COPD chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
COX cyclo-oxygenase
CrCl creatinine clearance
CRP C-reactive protein
CSM Committee on Safety of Medicines
CT computed tomography
CV cardiovascular
CVD cardiovascular disease
CVP central venous pressure
DAAT Drug and Alcohol Team
DBP diastolic blood pressure
DEXA dual energy X-ray absorptiometry
DMARD disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug
DRESS drug rash with eosinophilia systemic symptoms
DSM Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
DVLA Driver & Vehicle Licensing Authority
DVT deep-vein thrombosis
DXA dual X-ray absorptiometry
ECG electrocardiograph/electrocardiogram
ECT electroconvulsive therapy
EEG electroencephalogram
EGFR epidermal growth factor receptor
eGFR estimated glomerular filtration rate
EMEA European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products
EMS eosinophilia myalgia syndrome
EPSE extrapyramidal side-effect
ERF established renal failure
Abbreviations xix
ESA erythropoietic stimulating agent
ESP encapsulating sclerosing peritonitis
ESR erythrocyte sedimentation rate
FBC full blood count
FEV forced expiratory volume
FEV1 forced expiratory volume in 1 minute
FFP fresh frozen plasma
FISH fluorescence in situ hybridisation
FVC forced vital capacity
GABA gamma-aminobutyric acid
G-CSF granulocyte colony-stimulating factor
GDH-PQQ glucose dehydrogenase pyrroloquinolinequinone
GFR glomerular filtration rate
GGT gamma-glutamyltransferase
GI gastrointestinal
GM-CSF granulocyte–macrophage colony-stimulating factor
GMP guanosine monophosphate
GP general practitioner
GPwSI general practitioner with a special interest
GTN glyceryl trinitrate
GUM genito-urinary medicine
HAART highly active antiretroviral therapy
HAMD Hamilton Depression (scale)
Hb haemoglobin
HbA1c glycated haemoglobin
HCA healthcare assistant
HDL high-density lipoprotein
HIV human immunodeficiency virus
HLA human leukocyte-associated antigen
HMG hydroxymethylglutaryl
HMG-CoA hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A
HOPE Heart Outcomes Prevention Study
HPA hypothalopituitary–adrenal/Health Protection Agency
HPLC high-performance liquid chromatography
HR heart rate
HRT hormone replacement therapy
HSA human serum albumin
IBD inflammatory bowel disease
IBW ideal body weight
ICS inhaled corticosteroids
ICU intensive care unit
IDU intravenous drug user
IFX infliximab
IHD ischaemic heart disease
IL interleukin
INR international normalised ratio
IP intraperitoneal
IPD idiopathic Parkinson’s disease
iPTH intact parathyroid hormone
IRS immune reconstitution disease/syndrome
IST International Stroke Trial
IV intravenous/intravenously
IVb intravenous bolus
JME juvenile myoclonic epilepsy
LABA long-acting beta2-agonist
LD loading dose
LDH lactate dehydrogenase
xx Drugs in Use
LDL low-density lipoprotein
LFT liver function test
LMWH low-molecular-weight heparin
LTOT long-term oxygen therapy
LVEF left ventricular ejection fraction
LVSD left ventricular systolic dysfunction
MAC Mycobacterium avium complex
MAG3 99mTc mercapto acetyl triglycene
MAOBI monoamine oxidase B inhibitor
MAOI monoamine oxidase inhibitor
MAP mean arterial pressure
MCH mean cell haemoglobin
MCI mild cognitive impairment
MCV mean cell volume
MD maintenance dose
MDI metered-dose inhaler
MDS monitored-dosage system
MED minimal erythemogenic dose
MHRA Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
MI myocardial infarction
MMF mycophenolate mofetil
MMSE Mini Mental State Examination
MPD minimal phototoxic dose
MRC Medical Research Council
MRI magnetic resonance imaging
MRSA meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
MSA multiple system atrophy
MUR medicines use review
NEAD non-epileptic attack disorder
NFAT nuclear factor of activated T cells
NHL non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
NICE National Institute for Clinical Excellence
NMDA N-methyl-D-aspartate
NMS non-motor symptoms
NNRTI non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor
NNT numbers needed to treat
NPSA National Patient Safety Agency
NRTI nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor
NSAID non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
NSF National Service Framework
NSTEMI non-ST-elevated myocardial infarction
NYHA New York Heart Association
OA osteoarthritis
OBRA Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act
OGD oesophagogastroduodenoscopy
OTC over-the-counter
PAMI primary angioplasty
PASI Psoriasis Area Severity Scale
PCA patient-controlled analgesia
PCI percutaneous coronary intervention
PCP Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia
PCT primary care trust
PCV primary care visitor/packed cell volume
PD peritoneal dialysis
PDS Progressive Deterioration Score
PE pulmonary embolism
PEF peak expiratory flow
Abbreviations xxi
PI protease inhibitor
PMR polymyalgia rheumatica
PODs patient’s own drugs
PPI proton pump inhibitor
PSP progressive supranuclear palsy
PT prothrombin time
PTCA percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty
PTH parathyroid hormone
PUD peptic ulcer disease
PUFA polyunsaturated fatty acids
PUVA psoralen with ultraviolet A
PV plasma viscosity
RA rheumatoid arthritis
RBC red blood cell
RCT randomised controlled trial
RRT renal replacement therapy
RT rapid tranquillisation
rt-PA alteplase or recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator
SBP systolic blood pressure/spontaneous bacterial peritonitis
SCDT short-contact dithranol treatment
SD standard deviation
SERM selective oestrogen receptor modulator
SIGN Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network
SLE systemic lupus erythematosus
SMBG self-monitoring of blood glucose
SPC Summary of Product Characteristics
SPECT single photon emission computed tomography
SpO2 oxygen saturation
SRH stigmata of recent haemorrhage
SSRI selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor
STEMI ST-elevated myocardial infarction
STN subthalamic nucleus
STN-DBS subthalamic deep brain stimulation
SUDEP sudden unexplained death in epilepsy
TB tuberculosis
TC total cholesterol
TCA tricyclic antidepressant
Th T-helper (cell)
TIA transient ischaemic attack
TIPS transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt
TMPT thiopurine methyl transferase
TNF tumour necrosis factor
TNK-tPA tenecteplase
tPA tissue plasminogen activator
UA unstable angina
U&E urea and electrolytes
UVA ultraviolet A
UVB ultraviolet B
VTE venous thromboembolism
WBC white blood cell
xxii Drugs in Use
1
5-HT 5-hydroxytryptamine
6MP 6-mercaptopurine
8-MOP 8-methoxypsoralen
ABCD disc-shaped cholesteryl sulphate–amphotericin B complexes
ACCP American College of Chest Physicians
ACE angiotensin-converting enzyme
ACEI angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor
ACS acute coronary syndrome
AD Alzheimer’s disease
ADAS-cog Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale – cognitive subscale
ADL activities of daily living
ADP adenosine diphosphate
ADR adverse drug reaction
AED antiepileptic drug
AF atrial fibrillation
AGE advanced glycation end-product
AIDS acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
ALD alcoholic liver disease
ALG anti-lymphocyte immunoglobulin
ALP alkaline phosphatase
ALT alanine aminotransferase
AMI acute myocardial infarction
AMP adenosine monophosphate
AMTS Abbreviated Mental Test Score
ANA antinuclear antibody
ANC absolute neutrophil count
APD automated peritoneal dialysis
APTT activated partial thromboplastin time
ARB angiotensin receptor blocker
ARCD age-related cognitive decline
ARF acute renal failure
ARR absolute risk reduction
AST aspartate aminotransferase
ATG anti-thymocyte immunoglobulin
AUC area under the curve
BAD British Associaton of Dermatologists
BCG Bacillus Calmette–Guérin
BCIS British Cardiovascular Intervention Society
B-CLL B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia
BHIVA British HIV Association
BHS British Hypertension Society
BMD bone mineral density
BMI body mass index
BNF British National Formulary
BP blood pressure/British Pharmacopoeia
bpm beats per minute
BPSD behavioural and psychological symptoms in dementia
BSG British Society of Gastroenterologists
BSR British Society for Rheumatology
BTS British Thoracic Society
CABG coronary artery bypass grafting
CAN chronic allograft neuropathy
CAPD continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis
CAST Chinese Acute Stroke Trial
CBT cognitive behavioural therapy
CCB calcium-channel blocker
CCF congestive cardiac failure
CD controlled drug/Crohn’s disease
CDAI Crohn’s Disease Activity Index
CDS continuous dopaminergic stimulation
CFC chlorofluorocarbon
CHD coronary heart disease
ChEI cholinesterase inhibitor
CIBIC Clinician’s Interview-based Impression of Change
CIN contrast-induced nephropathy
CISH chromogenic in situ hybridisation
CK creatine kinase
CKD chronic kidney disease
CK-MB creatine kinase isoenzyme specific for myocardium
CK-MB% CK-MB expressed as a percentage of total CK
CMV cytomegalovirus
CNI calcineurin inhibitor
CNS central nervous system
COMT catechol-O-methyl-transferase
COPD chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
COX cyclo-oxygenase
CrCl creatinine clearance
CRP C-reactive protein
CSM Committee on Safety of Medicines
CT computed tomography
CV cardiovascular
CVD cardiovascular disease
CVP central venous pressure
DAAT Drug and Alcohol Team
DBP diastolic blood pressure
DEXA dual energy X-ray absorptiometry
DMARD disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug
DRESS drug rash with eosinophilia systemic symptoms
DSM Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
DVLA Driver & Vehicle Licensing Authority
DVT deep-vein thrombosis
DXA dual X-ray absorptiometry
ECG electrocardiograph/electrocardiogram
ECT electroconvulsive therapy
EEG electroencephalogram
EGFR epidermal growth factor receptor
eGFR estimated glomerular filtration rate
EMEA European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products
EMS eosinophilia myalgia syndrome
EPSE extrapyramidal side-effect
ERF established renal failure
Abbreviations xix
ESA erythropoietic stimulating agent
ESP encapsulating sclerosing peritonitis
ESR erythrocyte sedimentation rate
FBC full blood count
FEV forced expiratory volume
FEV1 forced expiratory volume in 1 minute
FFP fresh frozen plasma
FISH fluorescence in situ hybridisation
FVC forced vital capacity
GABA gamma-aminobutyric acid
G-CSF granulocyte colony-stimulating factor
GDH-PQQ glucose dehydrogenase pyrroloquinolinequinone
GFR glomerular filtration rate
GGT gamma-glutamyltransferase
GI gastrointestinal
GM-CSF granulocyte–macrophage colony-stimulating factor
GMP guanosine monophosphate
GP general practitioner
GPwSI general practitioner with a special interest
GTN glyceryl trinitrate
GUM genito-urinary medicine
HAART highly active antiretroviral therapy
HAMD Hamilton Depression (scale)
Hb haemoglobin
HbA1c glycated haemoglobin
HCA healthcare assistant
HDL high-density lipoprotein
HIV human immunodeficiency virus
HLA human leukocyte-associated antigen
HMG hydroxymethylglutaryl
HMG-CoA hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A
HOPE Heart Outcomes Prevention Study
HPA hypothalopituitary–adrenal/Health Protection Agency
HPLC high-performance liquid chromatography
HR heart rate
HRT hormone replacement therapy
HSA human serum albumin
IBD inflammatory bowel disease
IBW ideal body weight
ICS inhaled corticosteroids
ICU intensive care unit
IDU intravenous drug user
IFX infliximab
IHD ischaemic heart disease
IL interleukin
INR international normalised ratio
IP intraperitoneal
IPD idiopathic Parkinson’s disease
iPTH intact parathyroid hormone
IRS immune reconstitution disease/syndrome
IST International Stroke Trial
IV intravenous/intravenously
IVb intravenous bolus
JME juvenile myoclonic epilepsy
LABA long-acting beta2-agonist
LD loading dose
LDH lactate dehydrogenase
xx Drugs in Use
LDL low-density lipoprotein
LFT liver function test
LMWH low-molecular-weight heparin
LTOT long-term oxygen therapy
LVEF left ventricular ejection fraction
LVSD left ventricular systolic dysfunction
MAC Mycobacterium avium complex
MAG3 99mTc mercapto acetyl triglycene
MAOBI monoamine oxidase B inhibitor
MAOI monoamine oxidase inhibitor
MAP mean arterial pressure
MCH mean cell haemoglobin
MCI mild cognitive impairment
MCV mean cell volume
MD maintenance dose
MDI metered-dose inhaler
MDS monitored-dosage system
MED minimal erythemogenic dose
MHRA Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
MI myocardial infarction
MMF mycophenolate mofetil
MMSE Mini Mental State Examination
MPD minimal phototoxic dose
MRC Medical Research Council
MRI magnetic resonance imaging
MRSA meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
MSA multiple system atrophy
MUR medicines use review
NEAD non-epileptic attack disorder
NFAT nuclear factor of activated T cells
NHL non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
NICE National Institute for Clinical Excellence
NMDA N-methyl-D-aspartate
NMS non-motor symptoms
NNRTI non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor
NNT numbers needed to treat
NPSA National Patient Safety Agency
NRTI nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor
NSAID non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
NSF National Service Framework
NSTEMI non-ST-elevated myocardial infarction
NYHA New York Heart Association
OA osteoarthritis
OBRA Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act
OGD oesophagogastroduodenoscopy
OTC over-the-counter
PAMI primary angioplasty
PASI Psoriasis Area Severity Scale
PCA patient-controlled analgesia
PCI percutaneous coronary intervention
PCP Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia
PCT primary care trust
PCV primary care visitor/packed cell volume
PD peritoneal dialysis
PDS Progressive Deterioration Score
PE pulmonary embolism
PEF peak expiratory flow
Abbreviations xxi
PI protease inhibitor
PMR polymyalgia rheumatica
PODs patient’s own drugs
PPI proton pump inhibitor
PSP progressive supranuclear palsy
PT prothrombin time
PTCA percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty
PTH parathyroid hormone
PUD peptic ulcer disease
PUFA polyunsaturated fatty acids
PUVA psoralen with ultraviolet A
PV plasma viscosity
RA rheumatoid arthritis
RBC red blood cell
RCT randomised controlled trial
RRT renal replacement therapy
RT rapid tranquillisation
rt-PA alteplase or recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator
SBP systolic blood pressure/spontaneous bacterial peritonitis
SCDT short-contact dithranol treatment
SD standard deviation
SERM selective oestrogen receptor modulator
SIGN Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network
SLE systemic lupus erythematosus
SMBG self-monitoring of blood glucose
SPC Summary of Product Characteristics
SPECT single photon emission computed tomography
SpO2 oxygen saturation
SRH stigmata of recent haemorrhage
SSRI selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor
STEMI ST-elevated myocardial infarction
STN subthalamic nucleus
STN-DBS subthalamic deep brain stimulation
SUDEP sudden unexplained death in epilepsy
TB tuberculosis
TC total cholesterol
TCA tricyclic antidepressant
Th T-helper (cell)
TIA transient ischaemic attack
TIPS transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt
TMPT thiopurine methyl transferase
TNF tumour necrosis factor
TNK-tPA tenecteplase
tPA tissue plasminogen activator
UA unstable angina
U&E urea and electrolytes
UVA ultraviolet A
UVB ultraviolet B
VTE venous thromboembolism
WBC white blood cell
xxii Drugs in Use
1