B1.3.1 Drugs

Question 1

Why are drugs tested in a series of stages?

Answer 1

To find out if they are:

• safe
• effective
• toxic (in different amounts)
• and what dosage they need to be prescribed at.

Question 2

In the laboratory drugs are extensively tested for toxicity, efficacy and dose using what?
(2 marks)

Answer 2

• cells, tissues

- and live animals

Question 3

In clinical trials very low doses of the drug are given at the start to who?

Answer 3

• healthy volunteers

Question 4

If the drug is found to be safe, further clinical trials are carried out to find the optimum dose for the drug which group?

Answer 4

• patients

Question 5

What is a placebo?

Answer 5

A substance which does not contain the drug.

Question 6

What is a double blind trial?

Answer 6

• When patients are given a placebo and
• neither the doctors nor the patients know who has received a placebo and who has received the drug until the trial is complete

Question 7

What are statins used for?

Answer 7

Lowering the risk of heart and circulatory diseases.

Question 8

What was Thalidomide drug originally used for?

Answer 8

• As a sleeping pill.

- It was also found to be effective in relieving morning sickness in pregnant women.

Question 9

What were the problems of using Thalidomide?
Why was this problem not detected during clinical trials?
(2 marks)

Answer 9

• Many babies born to mothers who took the drug were born with severe limb abnormalities.
• Thalidomide had not been tested for use in pregnant women.

Question 10

What has thalidomide recently been used to treat?

Answer 10

Leprosy and other diseases.

Question 11

What can the misuse of the illegal recreational drugs ecstasy, cannabis and heroin may have adverse effects on?

Answer 11

The heart and circulatory system.

Question 12

Why is the overall impact of legal drugs (prescribed and non-prescribed) on health is much greater than the impact of illegal drugs?

Answer 12

Far more people use them.

Legal drugs are more available.

Question 13

Why is it difficult for a person to stop taking certain drugs?

Answer 13

• Drugs change the chemical processes in peoples’ bodies so that they may become dependent or addicted to the drug
• they suffer withdrawal symptoms without them.

Question 14

Why are stimulants prohibited by sporting regulations?

Answer 14

• they boost bodily functions such as heart rate

Question 15

Why are anabolic steroids prohibited by sporting regulations?

Answer 15

• they stimulate muscle growth.