Medicines and Drugs - D1 - Pharmaceutical Products

Question 1

What is meant by LD50?

Answer 1

The lethal dose required to kill fifty percent of the animal population.

Question 2

What is meant by ED50

Answer 2

The dose at which the drug is effective for fifty percent of the animal population

Question 3

Define what is meant by the therapeutic window.

Answer 3

The ratio between the LD50 and the ED50. The bigger the therapeutic window, the safer the drug is.

Question 4

Explain an intramuscular injection.

Answer 4

Usually injected into arm, leg or buttock muscles.

Question 5

Explain a subcutaneous injection.

Answer 5

Injected directly under the skin.

Question 6

Explain an intravenous injection.

Answer 6

Injected directly into the blood stream (most rapid effects)

Question 7

Explain the term tolerance.

Answer 7

This is when the person’s body adapts to the action of the drug.

Question 8

How would one counter the effects of tolerance.

Answer 8

One would have to take larger and larger doses of the drug to achieve the original effect. On account of this you may eventually exceed the Lethal Dose. :(

Question 9

Name all methods of administering a drug.

Answer 9

Oral, parenteral (subcutaneous, intramuscular or intravenous injection), topical application, inhalation, rectal

Question 10

What are some effects of drugs on humans?

Answer 10

(One or more of the following:) altering incoming sensory perceptions, altering mood or emotions, altering the physiological state of the body, altering activity levels, or muscular coordination

Question 11

Define the Placebo Effect.

Answer 11

An inert substance that produces a significant reaction because of what an individual expects, or is told will happen.

Question 12

Explain the process of Oral Administration.

Answer 12

The substance/drug can be absorbed in the entire gastrointestinal tract, however most of the absorption occurs in the small intestine. Time release capsules may be used as to ensure a gradual release of the drug over time.

Question 13

Explain the process of Inhalation as administration.

Answer 13

The Drug is immediately taken into the network of blood vessels in the lungs, hence absorbed into the blood stream to produce an effect on the brain or the whole body, for example general anaestesia.

Question 14

Define Physical and Psychological Dependence.

Answer 14

Physical Dependence occurs when the user’s body has become adapted to adrug to the extent that it can only function when that drug is still present. Psychological Dependence when the drug is central the the person’s toughts, emotions and activities, therefore making it difficult to stop thinking about it. Both Dependences lead to drug-addiction and therefore also withdrawal symptoms.

Question 15

What is a side effect?

Answer 15

The unwanted physiological or psychologicel responses to a drug.

Question 16

What are the different classes of drugs?

Answer 16

Depressants, Stimulants, Narcotics, Analgesics, Hallucinogens, and Psychotherapeutics

Question 17

What are the different steps in the development of a new drug?

Answer 17

1. laboratory and animal studies 2. 1st phase of clinical studies 3. 2nd phase of clinical studies 4. 3rd phase of clinical studies 5. review by drug admin

Question 18

What is the most effective and rapid way in administering drugs to a patient?

Answer 18

Intravenous injection

Question 19

What is meant by the term topical?

Answer 19

A drug that is applied only on the surface, eye drops, cream.

Question 20

What are autacoids?

Answer 20

Histanin and Serotonin.

Question 21

What is Ecstacy?

Answer 21

MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine) is an empathogenic drug of the phenethylamine and amphetamine classes of drugs. MDMA has become widely known as “ecstasy” (shortened to “E”, “X”, or “XTC”), usually referring to its street pill form, although this term may also include the presence of possible adulterants. The term “molly” (or “mandy” in the UK) colloquially refers to MDMA in powder or crystalline form, usually implying a higher level of purity. MDMA can induce euphoria, a sense of intimacy with others, and diminished anxiety. Many studies, particularly in the fields of psychology and cognitive therapy, have suggested that MDMA has therapeutic benefits and facilitates therapy sessions in certain individuals, a practice for which it had formally been used in the past. Clinical trials are now testing the therapeutic potential of MDMA for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety associated with terminal cancer.

Question 22

What three things can happen when taking a medicine or drug?

Answer 22

1. alters incoming sensory sensations. 2. alters moods or emotions. 3. alters physiological states, including consciousness, activity level or coordination.

Question 23

What is Pharmacology?

Answer 23

The scientific study of the interactions of drugs with various different types of cells found in the human body.

Question 24

Define Neurotransmission

Answer 24

A nerve impulse invlves the movement of sodium and potassium ions across the cell membrane of the axon (nerve fibre).

Question 25

What is a suppository?

Answer 25

It is a drug inserted into the anus or the vagina.

Question 26

What is inhalation?

Answer 26

It is a method of drug insertion, in which the drug is administered through a person breathing the drug into their lungs.

Question 27

What are the side effects of antacids?

Answer 27

They cause constipation or irregularity. It may cause kindey stones and sodium ions may lead to hypertension.

Question 28

What is dying?

Answer 28

Dying is a physical status in which an organism’s bodily functions shut down. Or when the soul ascends to the heavens or descends into the pits of hell.

Question 29

In a drug trial, 50% of the test population get to receive the drug. What do the other 50% of the test populations get?

Answer 29

Placebo drugs. (for the IB exams). For the real answer see: http://www.ted.com/talks/ben_goldacre_battling_bad_science.html

Question 30

How do you improve the solubility of drugs?

Answer 30

Modifying the polarity of a drug or its acid/base properties will vary its solubilityand may improve its medicinal properties. Drugs that contain a carboxylic acid functional group can be made more polar by converting them to a salt.

Question 31

Why is it important for drugs to be soluble?

Answer 31

The solubility of a drug in polar and non-polar environments determines its absorption, distribution and ecretion.

Question 32

What is taxol?

Answer 32

Taxol (paclitaxel) is a potent anti-cancer natural product that is active against leukaemia and tumors in the breast, ovary, brain and long.

Question 33

What is a moiety?

Answer 33

it is a part of a segment of a molecule

Question 34

What is mescaline?

Answer 34

Mescaline or 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenethylamine is a naturally occurring psychedelic alkaloid of the phenethylamine class, known for its mind-altering effects similar to those of LSD and psilocybin.

Question 35

What are LSDs?

Answer 35

Lysergic acid diethylamide, abbreviated LSD or LSD-25, also known as lysergide (INN) and colloquially as acid, is a semisynthetic psychedelic drug of the ergoline family, well known for its psychological effects which can include altered thinking processes, closed and open eye visuals, synesthesia, an altered sense of time and spiritual experiences, as well as for its key role in 1960s counterculture. It is used mainly as an entheogen, recreational drug, and as an agent in psychedelic therapy. LSD is non-addictive, is not known to cause brain damage, and has extremely low toxicity relative to dose. However, adverse psychiatric reactions such as anxiety, paranoia, and delusions are possible.

Question 36

What are psilocylins?

Answer 36

Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic compound produced by more than 200 species of mushrooms, collectively known as psilocybin mushrooms. The most potent are members of the genus Psilocybe, such as P. azurescens, P. semilanceata, and P. cyanescens, but psilocybin has also been isolated from about a dozen other genera. As a prodrug, psilocybin is quickly converted by the body to psilocin, which has mind-altering effects similar to those of LSD and mescaline. The effects generally include euphoria, visual and mental hallucinations, changes in perception, a distorted sense of time, and spiritual experiences, and can include possible adverse reactions such as nausea and panic attacks.