*Before the 20th century, most medicines were extracted
from plants (herbal medicines). Since 1900. Thousands of
modern drugs have been synthesised from organic compound.
*Modern medicines can be classified as follows based on
their effects on the human body.
*Some examples of modern medicines are analgesics,antibiotics,
psycho therapeutic drugs. Modern drugs have a trade name and a
generic name. For example, the analgesic aspirin (generic name) is
sold under different brand names such as Caprin and Disprin.
Similarly,paracetamol (generic name) is sold under the trade name
of Panadol.
*Modern medicines usually contain a mixture of active ingredients
prepared in different forms, such as capsules, pills,solutions or
suspensions.
*For example, Alka-Seltzer (used asan antacid) contains sodium
bicarbonate (NaHCO3), citric acid and aspirin. It is the sodium
bicarbonate then neutralizes the excess stomach acid.
Function of Each Type of Modern Medicine
Analgesics
* Analgesics are medicines that relieve pain. Examples of analgesics are
aspirin, paracetamol, and codeine. Analgesicsare sometimes called
painkillers.
* Aspirin and paracetamol are mild painkillers whereas codeineis
powerful painkillers.
* Analgesics relive pain but do not cure the disease.
Aspirin
- Pain relief and anti-inflammatory action
- The IUPAC name of aspirin is acetyl aslicylec acid. Aspirin contains two functional groups, a carboxylic acid group and the ester group. Thus, aspirin is acidic in nature.
- Uses of aspirin. Aspirin reduces fever and inflammable as well as relieves pain. Aspirin is used to :
- Reduce fever
- Relieve headaches, muscle aches and joint aches
- Treat arthritis, a disease caused by inflammation of the joints.
- Act as an anticoagulant. It prevents the clotting of blood and reduce the risk of the heart attack and strokes.
- Paracetamol have the following structural formula.Thus,unlike aspirin, paracetamol is neutral in nature.
- Paracetamol is similar to aspirin in its effects (that is,reduces fever and relieves pain) but it does not reduce inflammation.
- Paracetamol also reduces or relieves flu symptoms such as fever, bone aches and runny nose.
- Codeine is an organic compound that contains the elements of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen.
- b)Codeine is an analgesics and is used to relive mirror to moderate pain. Codeine is more powerful than morphine.Codeine and morphine are narcotic drugs
- c)Codeine is also used in cough mixtures for suppressing coughs.
1.Antibiotics are chemicals that destroy or prevent the growth of infectious microorganism.
2.Two examples of antibiotics are penicillin and streptomycin.
3.Antibiotics are used to treat diseases caused by bacteria.
4.Antibiotics are not effective against diseases caused by viral infections such as influenza, measles, or small pox.
Penicillin
- Penicillin is derived from the mould Penicillium notatum.
- Penicillin are used to treat diseases, caused by bacteria,such as pneumonia, gonorrhea and syphilis.
- Penicillin is only effective on certain bacteria. For example, it cannot be used to treat tuberculosis.
- The antibiotic that is effective in treating tuberculosis.
1.Psycho therapeutic medicines are a group of drugs for treating mental or emotional illnesses.
2.Psycho therapeutic drugs can be divided into a few groups.
Types of psycho therapeutic drugs.
Example:
- Stimulants Caffeine, amphetamine
- Antidepressant Prozac
- Antipsychotic agents Chloropromazin
- Stimulants are naturally occurringor synthetic drugs that stimulate (excite) the activity of the brain and centralnervous system.
- Adrenaline is a stimulant that the body produces when itneeds to prepare for demanding or energetic activities.
- Stimulants make a person more alert, more energetic,less tired and more cheerful.
- Examples of stimulants are caffeine and amphetamines.Caffeine is a week, naturally occurring stimulant and is found on coffee, tea and Cola drinks.
- Amphetamines are strong synthetic stimulants and increase alertness and physical ability.
- Amphetamines increase the heart and respiration rates,as well as the blood pressure. As a result, it causes the body to postpone the need of sleep and can reverse,partially and temporarily, the symptoms of fatigue.
- Depression is a chronic illness. Most cases of depression are caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain.
- People experiencing depression feel hopeless. They experience a loss of interest in everyday activities such as work or hobbies.
- There is a strong correlation between the amounts of special chemicals (called neurotransmitters) in the brain and a person’s mood. If these chemicals get too low, the person may feel depressed.
- Antidepressants are medicines that increase the brain’slevel of neurotransmitters, thus improving mood.
- Antidepressants make a person feel calm and sleepy.
- Psychosis is the serious mental illness in which people lose touch with reality. People with psychosis may:
* Have belief that are not based on reality (delusions)
- In psychiatry, there are a number of disorders that are classified under ‘ psuchosis’, such as schizophrenias(madness), psychotic depression, mania and so on.
- Psychotic patients have extreme mood swings. Their mood changes rapidly from high spirit to deep depression.
- Antipsychotic medicines do not cure symptoms to help the person live a more normal life.
1. Treating mental or emotional illness
2. Steroid is natural lipid compound.
3. Steroid is divide to steroid anabolic and corticosteroid
Hormone example :
Insulin - treating diabetes
Group:
Steroid anabolic- use to treating AIDS and cancer
Example:
- Metandrostenolone (Dianabol)
- Testosteronpropionat (Testex)
Corticosteroid- having anti inflammation characteristics and treating asthma and arthritis rheumatoid
(joint illness)
Example:
- Cortisone
- Prednisone
Aspirin
-Can cause bleeding in the stomach because aspirin is very acidic.
-Can cause allergic reactions, skin rashes and asthmatic attacks
Amphetamines
-People who abuse amphetamines are excitable and talkative.
-Psychologically additive and can cause heart attack.
-Can cause anxiety, sleeplessness, aggressive behavior and decrease appetite.
-Can cause enlarged pupils, heavy perspiration and trembling hands.
Codeine
-Can cause addiction.
Penicillin
-Can cause allergic reactions.
-Can cause death for people who are allergic to it.
Streptomycin
-Can cause nausea, vomiting, dizziness, rashes and fever.
-Can cause loss of hearing following long-term use.
Stimulants
-Can cause addiction.
Antidepressants
-Can cause addiction.
-Can cause headaches, grogginess and loss of appetite.
Antipsychotic drugs
-Can cause dry mouth, blurred vision, urinary retention, constipation.
-Can cause tremor and restlessness.
-Sedation (make people calmer, or to make people sleepy)
Correct Ways of Using Medicines
In taking any medicine, we should know why the medicine is prescribed, how the medicine should be used, what special precautions should be followed, what special diet should be followed, what are the side effects, and what storage conditions are needed.
In addition, we should note the following points :
1.Self-medication
Do not prescribe medicines for yourself (self-medication) or for other people. Discuss with your doctor and listen to him concerning the medicine to be taken
2.Follow the instructions given
Follow the instructions given by your doctor or pharmacist concerning the dosage and method of taking the medicine.
3.Medicines for adult and children
Medicines for adult should not be given to children and vice versa.
4.Side effects
Visit the doctor immediately if there are symptoms of allergy or other effects of the drugs.
5.Expiry date
Like foods, medicines also have expiry date. Do not take medicines after their expiry dates.
