Final answer:
Pharmacology terms such as anesthetic, antibiotic, antihistamine, antipruritic, and antiseptic refer to substances that induce numbness, kill or inhibit microorganisms, counteract allergies, relieve itching, and prevent infection, respectively. Selective toxicity and the bacteriostatic or bactericidal nature of drugs are important in determining their effectiveness and appropriate use.
Step-by-step explanation:
Anesthetic refers to a substance that causes loss of sensation in the body, often used to numb an area or induce sleep during surgery. Antibiotics are compounds, either microbial, fungal products, or synthesized in the lab, used to harm or kill harmful microorganisms. Antihistamines are drugs that counteract the effects of histamine, a chemical released during allergic reactions, and reduce symptoms like sneezing, itching, and congestion. Antipruritics are substances that relieve itching. Antiseptics are agents that inhibit the growth of infectious agents on external surfaces of the body and are often used in medical settings to clean wounds.
A key concept in understanding these terms is selective toxicity, a principle that an effective antimicrobial drug, such as an antibiotic, should target specific microbes with minimal harm to the host. Another important consideration is whether a drug is bacteriostatic (inhibits bacterial growth) or bactericidal (kills bacteria), which impacts the choice of drug based on the patient's immune status and the severity of the infection.