Read a term, then put it to work
These meanings help you ask a more precise question. There is no need to learn them all at once.
- Ask people to spell medicine names.
- Ask them to explain a term before moving on.
- Write down the word that still feels unclear.
Words you may hear
Some peptides carry signals in the body, including signals about hunger and blood sugar.
- Peptide
- A peptide is a tiny chain of joined parts, like beads on a string.
- FDA
- The US agency in charge of reviewing medicines is the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
- FDA approval
- As of September 2026, an FDA approval tells you the agency has reviewed a specific medicine product for a named use.
- Telehealth
- Telehealth is a care visit by video, phone, or an online form or message read later.
- Prescriber
- The health professional who writes the medicine order is called a prescriber.
- Prescription
- A prescription is an order for medicine from a licensed health professional.
- Compounding
- Compounding means making a medicine to order, often to meet a need a ready-made product cannot meet.
- State medical board
- A state medical board holds records of a doctor's licence and any punishment it has imposed for breaking its rules.
- Prior authorization
- Prior authorization means getting the insurer's agreement to pay before the medicine is covered.
A useful follow-up
Once someone names a medicine, ask how it is made and what it is meant to treat.
- Was this medicine supplied ready-made, or is a pharmacy preparing it to order?
- Which health problem is this being considered for?
- Where can I read the product's information?