Names of Medicinal Substances
In Latin, the names of chemical compounds and drugs traditionally belong to the neuter gender (neutrum) and end in -um in the nominative case. In the genitive case, they take the ending -i.
The standard vocabulary minimum includes the following drugs (in the format: nominative case, genitive ending designation, gender designation):
- Anaesthesinum, i n — anesthesin
- Bromisovalum, i n — bromisoval
- Chinosolum, i n — chinosol
- Corazolum, i n — corazole
- Desoxycorticosteronum, i n — desoxycorticosterone
- Erythromycinum, i n — erythromycin
- Furazolidonum, i n — furazolidone
- Methyloestradiolum, i n — methylestradiol
- Phenazepamum, i n — phenazepam
- Phthoracizinum, i n — phthoracizine
- Theobrominum, i n — theobromine
This recording format is necessary for the physician to properly decline the word when writing a prescription (where the genitive case is most commonly required).
Auxiliary Vocabulary: Adjectives and Forms
In addition to the active ingredients themselves, pharmaceutical practice actively uses words that describe the properties of the drug or its physical form.
Specific Adjectives Adjectives are listed in the dictionary with their gender endings so they can be agreed with any noun:
- antiasthmaticus, a, um — antiasthmatic (endings for masculine, feminine, and neuter gender respectively)
- ophthalmicus, a, um — ophthalmic
- solubilis, e — soluble (ending -is for masculine and feminine gender, -e for neuter)
Dosage Forms Corresponding nouns are used to indicate the form in which the drug is manufactured. This vocabulary minimum features a masculine noun (masculinum):
- sirupus, i m — syrup
All names of medicinal substances in this list end in "-um" and belong to the neuter gender (n). It is sufficient to memorize the Russian name and add the Latin neuter ending.
Class and exam questions
What do the letters "i n" mean after the drug name?
The letter "i" indicates the word ending in the genitive case (Genitivus), and "n" indicates neuter gender (neutrum).
How is the dictionary form "antiasthmaticus, a, um" deciphered?
This is an adjective. The ending "-us" is used for the masculine gender, "-a" for the feminine, and "-um" for the neuter gender.
What gender is the word "syrup" (sirupus) in Latin?
The noun sirupus, i m belongs to the masculine gender, as indicated by the dictionary label "m" (masculinum).
What else to study on this topic
- Declension rules for neuter nouns ending in -um
- Agreement of the first group of adjectives (-us, -a, -um) with nouns
- Declension features of the second group of adjectives (using solubilis, e as an example)
- Use of the genitive case (Genitivus) in prescription lines
Master the entire topic in the "Latin Language" course
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- Complete study guide on "Latin Pharmaceutical Terminology" and 2,323 more pages of the subject
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Other topics in the section «Self-preparation for the Prescription Writing and Pharmaceutical Terminology Test»
Prepared by WhiteCoat Pro faculty in accordance with the medical school curriculum. For educational purposes only.