Pharmacologic Substance
protective agent
pro·tec·tive a·gent
Subclass of:
Physiological Effects of Drugs
Definitions related to protective agents:
  • A class of agents used in prophylactic or curative therapy to attenuate the negative side effects of toxins or drugs. Protective agents belong to various chemical classes, acting through various pharmacological mechanisms. They may neutralize exogenous poisons, coat mucosa for protection against physical or chemical damage, offer antioxidant protection against free radicals or ionizing radiation, or induce endogenous detoxifying enzymes. (NCI04)
    NCI Thesaurus
    U.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
  • Synthetic or natural substances which are given to prevent a disease or disorder or are used in the process of treating a disease or injury due to a poisonous agent.
    NLM Medical Subject Headings
    U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2021
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