Synopses & Reviews
Presents a history of the discovery of drugs, including digitalis, aspirin, and sulfanilamide. Explains the mode of action of most major drugs. Explores the economical, ethical, and medical factors of drugs. Discusses the action of hormones, vitamins, enzymes, and other biocatalysts. Provides the reader with information on drugs in a clear and understandable manner. Valuable reading for anyone interested in the history, uses, and action of medications.
Table of Contents
Drugs: Historical Beginnings: Early Records of Natural Drugs
Inorganic Drugs
Some Medieval Medicines
Early Modern Medicines:
Digitalis
Opiates
Side Effects and Standardization of Drugs
Naming Drugs:
How Drugs Are Named
Some Alternative Drug Names
Biomedical Research:
The Role of the Pharmaceutical Industry in Drug Development
Why Drugs Are Expensive
Modern Drug Discovery and Development
Clinical Trials
Over-the-Counter Drugs
How Drugs Are Made
Biotechnology in Drug Preparation
Getting Drugs Ready for Use
Chiral Drugs
Molecular Modification of Prototype Drugs:
Drug Use and Abuse
Drug Interactions
Physicians and Drugs
Quackery
Neurohormones and Drugs That Affect the Central Nervous System:
Neurohormones
Antipsychotic Agents
Antidepressants
Antianxiety Agents
Sedative-Hypnotics
Ethyl Alcohol
Brain Stimulants
Lithium
Drugs That Evoke Psychoses
Anticonvulsants
Drugs for Parkinson's and Alzheimer's Diseases
Drugs for the Relief from Pain:
Opiates
Antiinflammatory Agents
Anticholinergics
BLocal Anesthetics, Antispasmodics, and Antihistamines
Local Anesthetics
Antispasmodics and Antihistamines
Drugs That Act on the Blood Pressure and the Heart:
Drugs for Heart Diseases
Diuretics
Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors
Coagulants and Anticoagulants
Intestinal Tract Medications:
Antacids
Cathartics
Constipating Drugs
Hormones and Vitamins:
Sex Hormones
Insulin
Other Hormones
Vitamins
Drugs for the Treatment of Cancer
Drugs Affecting the Immune Response:
Research into the Immune Response
Biotechnology
Drugs for Infectious Diseases:
Classification of Pathogenic Parasites
Chemotherapy of Bacterials Infections
Antibiotics, Antiparasitic Drugs
Malaria and Antimalarials
Drugs for Amebiasis
Other Protozoan Diseases
Anthelmintics
Antifungal Agents
Antiviral Drugs
Computer Assistance in Medicinal Research
Antiseptics and Disinfectants
What's Next
Glossary: Some Chemical and Medical Terms