Small words for unfamiliar terms.

Find a plain meaning

Active ingredient

The part of a product intended to do the work.

Advisory panel

A group that gives advice to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Its vote is advice, rather than a final FDA decision.

Analogue

A changed version of a substance. CB4211 is based on MOTS-c, but it is a different substance.

Clinical trial

A study in people that follows a written plan to test a question about health.

Compounding

Making a medicine for a particular order rather than providing a drug product that has already been made.

FDA

Food and Drug Administration is the name behind these initials; this US agency reviews medicines.

Immune reaction

The body’s defences reacting to a substance as an invader.

MedWatch

An FDA service that lets patients report suspected problems with medicines.

MOTS-c

A short chain made by the body from protein building blocks. Mitochondria hold its instructions; these tiny cell parts produce energy.

National Drug Code

A National Drug Code (NDC) is a product number in FDA’s public drug directory. Having this number did not establish FDA approval of the product as of September 26, 2026.

Peptide

A short chain made from the parts that form proteins.

State medical board

A state group that oversees doctors and keeps their public licence records and records of any penalties.

Sterile

Free of living germs.

Telehealth

Care at a distance using a live call or an exchange of written information.

Written review

You send information for a health professional to read later, rather than being online together.

Bring the word into the conversation

Try asking for the same explanation in plain words during a visit.

• What does that word mean in my care plan?
• What decision does it change?
• Can we walk through the next step?