Drugs

Question 1

Developing new drugs

Answer 1

1) tested on models (humans cells) to see if it is safe and effective
2) tested on animals
3) tested on healthy volunteers, dose rises from very low in order to find optimum dose.

Question 2

What is a double blind trial?

Answer 2

Placebo is used to distinguish real effects from fake

User may feel better without drug effecting them

50% of volunteers have real drug, doctors don’t know who has real or fake drug

Question 3

What happened with thalidomide?

Answer 3

• originally used as sleeping pill
• used as a morning sickness - untested on pregnant women
• particularily if taken during first 4-8 weeks of pregnancy it causes limb deformities
• 10,000 babies affected
• used today to treat bone cancer and leprosy, but heavily regulated

Question 4

Effects of alcohol

Answer 4

•don't realise how much the drink - lead to unconsciousness
•addictive
Long term:
•brain damage
•liver cirrhosis/damage
•weight gain

Question 5

Effect of nicotine

Answer 5

•114,000 related deaths per year
•health warning on packets
•addictive
Increase risk of:
•heart disease & stroke
•miscarriage & premature birth
•lung, mouth and throat cancer

Question 6

Illegal drugs

Answer 6

• HIV - when sharing needles
• could cause brain (cannabis) and circulatory problems (cocaine)
• not as much of a prominent issue as legal drugs as they are not as widely used.
• may cause dependency (heroin)

Question 7

Performance enhancing drugs

Answer 7

• banned in sports
• stimulants - boost body function (e.g. heart rate)
• steroids - increase muscle mass, ability to train harder and longer