WIM - Making Medicines Flashcards
Why might it be necessary to change the molecular structure of a drug even if it works well?
The current structure might have some bad side effects or might not be as effective or potent as needed
Why do pharmaceutical companies often make large numbers of very similar molecules when they are developing new drugs?
Because a small change in structure may have a big difference in properties
What is the technique of making a large number of very similar molecules at once called?
Combinatorial Chemistry
List 3 reasons why a drug may fail during clinical trials
- It is found to be toxic or have damaging side effects
- It doesn’t have the medicinal effects that the trials are looking for
- It isn’t better or benificial in different areas of treatment to anything currently available
Give the IUCAP name for salicylic acid
2-hydroxybenzoic acid
What were the effects and side-effects of salicylic acid?
It worked as a painkiller but caused mouth and stomach irritation
What were the effects and side-effects of sodium salicylate
It worked as a painkiller and caused less irritation than salicylic acid, bad tasted so disgusting that it made some patients vomit
Give the IUPAC name for asprin
2-(acetyloxy)benzoic acid
State 3 questions that are considered for every new drug
1) Is it safe?
2) Does it work?
3) Is it better than anything currently available?
