Term 'pharmacological washout' (Medical terminology)

[Esac]

Hi everyone,

I''m trying to translate a medical text into Italian, but I''m struggling to understand some parts of it.

Would anyone be able to tell me what a "pharmacological washout" is?

Thanks a lot!

Esac

[Yankee]

Hi esac

I assume that you know that pharmacological is an adjective that basically refers to the science of drugs.

A washout is a failed attempt or undertaking -- often a very disappointing failure.

If the research scientists at a pharmaceutical company attempt to develop a new drug and the drug they develop doesn't work and/or produces horrendous side-affects, then their attempt has failed. The drug they created might then be referred to as a pharmacological washout.
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[Heather]

I'm sorry Amy but this is absolutely not correct. A pharmacological washout is not the failure of a drug at all. It is when all drugs being used by somebody are stopped and washed out of the body prior to surgery or starting some other treatment.

[Yankee]

Hi Heather

You're right about the pre-surgery meaning.
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[Mister Micawber]

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Yep-- so I see. Gee, I would have thought it was a drug failure, too.
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Skrej]

I figured it was a place to wash out extra drugs, or to rinse out leftover/unwanted pharmacological waste, sort of like an eyewash.

On second thought, a truck washout may be more apropos, where they hose all the manure out of the trailers after they've hauled a load of livestock.

Probably not a good idea to drink from either of those pools...
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[Esac]

Thanks all for your pieces of advice!

Esac

[Mister Micawber]

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But I think you'd better take Heather's, esac.
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's