OTIS CLAPP & SON, INC. - Pharmaceutical Glossary

This helpful Pharmaceutical Glossary explains the
ingredients described on our Product Descriptions page.

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Acetaminophen: *Tylenol™ ingredient. Relieves pain and reduces fever. Does not irritate stomach like aspirin does. Decongestant: cold medication ingredient that unclogs nose and chest congestion. Works by enlarging air passages.

Aluminum (Hydroxide): fast acting antacid that neutralizes excess stomach acid. Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide: cough syrup and tablet ingredient that stops coughing by suppressing the cough "reflex."

Analgesic: pain reliever such as aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen. Dysmennorhea: cramps and pain associated with menstrual discomfort.

Anesthetic: substance that numbs an area, like novocaine or benzocaine. Electrolytes: essential bodily fluid salts and minerals.

Antacid: substance that neutralizes stomach acid. Expectorant: cold medication ingredient that liquifies and loosens throat mucus to "make coughing easier".

Antihistamine: cold medication ingredientthat dries up runny nose and other secretions. May cause drowsiness as a side effect. Gualfenesin: popular expectorant that loosens throat mucus to ease cough.

Antiseptic: substance that kills germs and bacteria to prevent infection. Ibuprofen: *Advil™ ingredient. Relieves pain, reduces fever, and relieves inflammation. Less irritating to stomach than aspirin.

Aspirin: common pain reliever that reduces fever, thins blood, and relieves inflammation. May irritate stomach lining. Inflammation: swelling and redness associated with arthritis, sprains, and other injuries.

Benzocaine: safe non-irritating anesthetic that numbs sore throat tissue and skin nerve endings. Magnesium (Hydroxide, Oxide, Trisilicate): antacids that reduce excess stomach acid. Have mild laxative effect, offset by mixing with aluminum or calcium antacids.

Buffered Aspirin: aspirin made with antacid so that it is gentler on the stomach. Phenylephrine: fast acting decongestant that unclogs nasal and chest passages.

Caffeine: stimulant to maintain alertness. Also has pain relieving effect by constricting blood vessels. Pseudoephedrine: *Sudafed™ ingredient. Decongestant that unclogs nasal and chest passages.

Calcium Carbonate: fast acting antacid. Has mild solidifying, constipating effect. Salicylamide: common supplement to aspirin. Relieves pain and reduces fever but does not irritate stomach lining.

Chlorpheniramine Maleate: antihistamine that dries up runny nose and other secretions. Causes less drowsiness than other antihistamines.
* denotes a registered trademark
not associated with Otis Clapp & Son, Inc.
prices and ingredients subject to change without notice

Acetaminophen: *Tylenol™ ingredient. Relieves pain and reduces fever. Does not irritate stomach like aspirin does.	Decongestant: cold medication ingredient that unclogs nose and chest congestion. Works by enlarging air passages.
Aluminum (Hydroxide): fast acting antacid that neutralizes excess stomach acid.	Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide: cough syrup and tablet ingredient that stops coughing by suppressing the cough "reflex."
Analgesic: pain reliever such as aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen.	Dysmennorhea: cramps and pain associated with menstrual discomfort.
Anesthetic: substance that numbs an area, like novocaine or benzocaine.	Electrolytes: essential bodily fluid salts and minerals.
Antacid: substance that neutralizes stomach acid.	Expectorant: cold medication ingredient that liquifies and loosens throat mucus to "make coughing easier".
Antihistamine: cold medication ingredientthat dries up runny nose and other secretions. May cause drowsiness as a side effect.	Gualfenesin: popular expectorant that loosens throat mucus to ease cough.
Antiseptic: substance that kills germs and bacteria to prevent infection.	Ibuprofen: *Advil™ ingredient. Relieves pain, reduces fever, and relieves inflammation. Less irritating to stomach than aspirin.
Aspirin: common pain reliever that reduces fever, thins blood, and relieves inflammation. May irritate stomach lining.	Inflammation: swelling and redness associated with arthritis, sprains, and other injuries.

Benzocaine: safe non-irritating anesthetic that numbs sore throat tissue and skin nerve endings.	Magnesium (Hydroxide, Oxide, Trisilicate): antacids that reduce excess stomach acid. Have mild laxative effect, offset by mixing with aluminum or calcium antacids.
Buffered Aspirin: aspirin made with antacid so that it is gentler on the stomach.	Phenylephrine: fast acting decongestant that unclogs nasal and chest passages.
Caffeine: stimulant to maintain alertness. Also has pain relieving effect by constricting blood vessels.	Pseudoephedrine: *Sudafed™ ingredient. Decongestant that unclogs nasal and chest passages.
Calcium Carbonate: fast acting antacid. Has mild solidifying, constipating effect.	Salicylamide: common supplement to aspirin. Relieves pain and reduces fever but does not irritate stomach lining.
Chlorpheniramine Maleate: antihistamine that dries up runny nose and other secretions. Causes less drowsiness than other antihistamines.	* denotes a registered trademark not associated with Otis Clapp & Son, Inc. prices and ingredients subject to change without notice