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Medication & Psychiatry Terms Glossary (A–Z)

Plain-language definitions for medication, prescribing, psychiatry, side effects, and treatment terms. This page is designed to help you understand reports, appointments, and common medical wording.

Important: This glossary is educational only and not medical advice. Always talk with a qualified health professional (GP, psychiatrist, nurse, pharmacist) before starting, stopping, or changing medication.

Before starting meds

  • Ask what the medication is for and what “success” looks like.
  • Ask about common side effects and what’s urgent.
  • Ask about interactions (other meds, alcohol, supplements).
  • Write down: dose, time, and follow-up plan.

While taking meds

  • Track changes: mood, sleep, appetite, energy, focus.
  • Stick to the same time each day (if advised).
  • Tell your prescriber about new symptoms.
  • Use reminders (phone alarms, pill box) if helpful.

Stopping or changing

  • Do not stop suddenly unless a clinician tells you to.
  • Ask about tapering (gradual reduction) and timeline.
  • Ask what withdrawal/discontinuation might feel like.
  • Plan extra support during medication changes.
SafetyWhen to get urgent help

Seek urgent support if you or someone you know experiences:

  • Severe allergic reaction (swelling, breathing trouble, hives)
  • Chest pain, fainting, severe confusion
  • New or escalating suicidal thoughts, or feeling unsafe
  • Severe agitation, inability to sleep for days, or extreme mood changes
  • Severe side effects that feel alarming or sudden

If you’re unsure, it’s okay to ask for help. Safety first.

NZ + Global SupportCrisis Help

🇳🇿 New Zealand

  • Emergency: Call 111 if immediate danger.
  • Need to talk? Call or text 1737 (24/7).
  • Lifeline: 0800 543 354 or text HELP to 4357.
  • Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 TAUTOKO (0508 828 865).
  • Youthline: 0800 376 633 or text 234.

Medication questions: your pharmacist is often the fastest place to ask.

🌍 Global

  • If you are in immediate danger, contact local emergency services.
  • Search: “crisis helpline + your country” for local phone/text/chat options.
  • If you have a prescribing doctor, contact their clinic for medication concerns.

This page is educational and not a substitute for crisis or medical care.

Language matters: Medication experiences are personal.
  • Instead of “non-compliant” → “barriers to access” or “medication didn’t feel safe/possible.”
  • Instead of “failed medication” → “medication wasn’t a match.”
  • Instead of “just take it” → “what support would make this easier?”
Tip: Search filters the definitions below in real time.

Letter A

Adherence
Taking medication as prescribed (timing, dose, routine) — sometimes called “compliance.” Example: “I struggle with adherence, so I use a pill box and alarms.”
Akathisia
A severe inner restlessness that can feel unbearable (urgent to report). Example: “I couldn’t sit still and felt intensely agitated.”
Antidepressant
A medication category often used for depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, and related conditions.
Antipsychotic
Medication used for psychosis-related symptoms and sometimes mood stabilisation.
Anxiolytic
Medication used to reduce anxiety.

Letter B

Benzodiazepine
A medication that can reduce anxiety quickly but may cause dependence if used long-term.
Black Box Warning
The strongest safety warning on a medication label (serious risk information).
Breakthrough Symptoms
Symptoms that show up even while taking medication.

Letter C

Contraindication
A reason a medication should not be used (risk outweighs benefit).
Controlled Drug
A medication with special rules due to dependence/misuse risk.
Cross-Taper
Slowly lowering one medication while starting another.

Letter D

Dependency
When the body adapts to a medication and stopping suddenly causes withdrawal symptoms.
Discontinuation Syndrome
Symptoms after stopping/reducing certain meds (often SSRIs/SNRIs) too quickly.
Dose
The amount of medication taken at one time.

Letter E

Extended Release (XR / ER)
A formulation that releases medication slowly over time.
Extrapyramidal Symptoms (EPS)
Movement-related side effects (stiffness, tremor, restlessness) — report to prescriber.

Letter F

Formulation
The form of a medicine (tablet, capsule, liquid, patch).
Follow-Up
A review appointment to check how medication is working and adjust if needed.

Letter G

Generic
A medication with the same active ingredient as a brand name but different branding.
GP (General Practitioner)
Your primary doctor who can prescribe and coordinate care.

Letter H

Half-Life
How long it takes the body to reduce a medication level by about half.
Hyponatremia
Low sodium (rare but serious side effect of some meds) — needs medical review.

Letter I

Interaction
When one medicine/substance changes how another works (risk or reduced effectiveness).
Informed Consent
Understanding risks/benefits and agreeing freely to treatment.

Letter J

Jitteriness
Shaky/restless feeling that can happen early with some medications.

Letter K

Kidney Function
How well kidneys filter blood — important for dosing some meds.

Letter L

Long-Acting
A medication designed to last longer in the body (fewer doses per day).
Lithium
A mood stabiliser that requires regular blood tests for safe dosing.

Letter M

Maintenance Dose
The dose that keeps symptoms stable once the right level is found.
Mood Stabiliser
Medication used for mood swings, bipolar disorder, and related conditions.

Letter N

Neurotransmitter
A brain chemical messenger (serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, GABA).
Non-Response
When a medication doesn’t help enough or isn’t a good fit.

Letter O

Off-Label Use
Using a medication for a condition not listed on the main label (common in psychiatry).
Onset
How long it takes a medication to start working.

Letter P

Pharmacist
A medication expert who can explain side effects, interactions, and safe use.
Placebo
A “dummy” treatment used in studies to compare effects.
PRN
“As needed” medication, not scheduled daily.

Letter Q

QT Prolongation
A heart rhythm risk some meds can affect (may need monitoring).

Letter R

Risk–Benefit
Weighing helpful effects against side effects or risks.
Relapse
Symptoms returning after improvement.

Letter S

SSRI
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (common antidepressant class).
SNRI
Serotonin–Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor (antidepressant class).
Side Effect
An unwanted effect from medication (mild or serious).
Stimulant
Medication often used for ADHD to support attention and impulse control.

Letter T

Taper
Gradually reducing medication dose to lower withdrawal risk.
Titration
Slowly increasing or adjusting dose to find the best fit.
Treatment Plan
The agreed steps for support (meds, therapy, routines, follow-ups).

Letter U

Urinary Retention
Trouble peeing (side effect for some meds) — needs medical review.

Letter V

Variable Response
When people respond differently to the same medication.

Letter W

Withdrawal
Symptoms after stopping/reducing a drug the body adapted to. Example: “I tapered slowly to reduce withdrawal symptoms.”

Letter X

Xerostomia
Dry mouth (common side effect) — hydration and dental care can help.

Letter Y

Yearly Review
A planned medication check-in to review safety, effectiveness, and options.

Letter Z

Zero Tolerance Side Effects
Side effects that require urgent review (severe allergy, severe agitation, serious heart symptoms).

Related Glossaries

Explore the rest of the Glossaries & Definitions series:

Glossaries Hub Glossary Index Therapies & Treatments Medical & Clinical Trauma & Regulation

Coming soon (placeholders)

  • Medication tracker (printable PDF) — placeholder
  • Side-effect monitoring checklist — placeholder
  • Questions to ask your prescriber — placeholder
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