Chemicals in Medicines

Introduction

The leading contribution of Chemistry is in the Healthcare sector. The medicines are prepared from chemicals. The medicine industry is so massive that a modern field in Chemistry identified as ‘Medicinal Chemistry, has originated.

When the medicine is consumed in the prescribed manner to cure, prevent or analyze a particular disease it is inferred as medicine. But, it can become harmful if consumed in higher amounts than those recommended. Medicines have improved the longevity of humans and animals and given us a healthy and quality life as a blessing. 

Types of Medicines

1. Liquid 

The medicine is mixed with a liquid to make it easier to take and better absorbed. For example, syrups, etc.

2. Tablet

In this case, the ingredient is mixed with another substance and pressed into a circle or oval solid shape. These can be soluble or dispersible and can easily be taken with water.

3. Capsules

In this process, the medicine is enclosed inside a plastic bullet that melts slowly in the stomach.

4. Topical medicines

These types of medicines can be creams, lotions or ointments applied directly onto the skin. In this, the components of medicine are mixed with another substance, making it easy to apply to the skin.

5. Drops

In this, the components of the medicine are mixed with liquids and work best if it enters the affected area immediately. Drops are used in the eye, ear, or nose.

6. Inhalers

This medicine directly enters the lungs. Young children may be required to use a spacer device to take the medication properly. 

Classification of Medicines 

1. Antipyretic Medicine

Antipyretic medicines are used to reduce fever. The body then functions to reduce the temperature, which results in fever reduction.

2. Analgesic Medicine 

Analgesic is also known as painkillers. Analgesic medicines are used for relief from pain. This medication is different from anaesthetics, which temporarily affect, and in some representatives terminate, sensation.

3. Antimalarial Drugs

Antimalarial drugs are simply used for treating or preventing malaria.  

4. Antibiotics

Antibiotics are the most essential type of antibacterial dealer for controlling bacterial infections, these are largely utilized for the treatment and prevention of bacterial infections. These drugs may either kill or inhibit the development of bacteria.

5. Antiseptic

These medicines are applied to the skin to lower the probability of infection, sepsis, or putrefaction. Antiseptic medicines are mostly used to destroy bacteria in the body, and disinfectants. It is used to prevent germ growth near burns, cuts, and wounds.

6. Mood stabilizer

It is used as mood stabilization and is a psychiatric treatment to deal with mood disorders defined by severe and sustainable mood changes. It is used in bipolar disorder and the bipolar aspect of schizoaffective disorders.

7. The hormone Replacement Therapy

It is also known as postmenopausal hormone therapy, it is a kind of hormone therapy used to deal with symptoms related to female functions. Hormone replacement therapy can contain symptoms like flashes, accelerated skin ageing, vaginal dryness, decreased muscle mass, etc.

8. Oral Contraceptive Pill

This medication is used for birth control.

• Stimulants:

This medicine is used for several conditions involving sleep disorders, mood disorders, impulse control disorders, asthma, nasal congestion, and in the cases of cocaine consumption as local anaesthetics. 

• Tranquillizer:

Tranquillizers are used for the medication of anxiety, fear, tension, agitation, and disorders of the mind. It is particularly used to lower the states of anxiety and tension. 

• Statins:

It is used to reduce illness and mortality in those who are at a high chance of cardiovascular disease. These are largely used as cholesterol-lowering drugs.

• Beta-Blockers:

It is used to prevent the impacts of stress hormones such as adrenaline on the heart. These are prescribed to patients who are suffering from irregular heartbeat, high BP, and after heart attacks.

• Calcium channel blocker:

Is used to decrease the blood pressure of patients with hypertension.

•  Homoeopathic dilutions:

 If a symptom is induced in a healthy person by any foreign particle, then an almost identical substance prescribed in a relatively smaller quantity may cure the illness.

•  Acarbose:

It is used to slow the activity of specific chemicals that break down food to release glucose in your body. Acarbose slows down the digestion of carbohydrates to maintain your blood sugar from rising after you consume food.

Pharmacological Effect of Medicines

The pharmacological effect is known as the physiological or biochemical differences in the body generated by medicine in healing concentration. No medicine has an individual pharmacological effect. Medicines usually generate various pharmacological effects. The pharmacological effects can be categorized as desired and undesired effects even when used in the normal amount. 

For example, the treatment of tuberculosis includes rifampicin medicine. The desired effect of this medication is to kill the causative microorganism Mycobacterium tuberculosis so that the patient will be recovered from tuberculosis. However, the healing concentration of this medicine also causes some undesirable effects that can not be avoidable.

Toxic Chemicals in Medicines

The medicines are prepared from several chemicals which may validate to be harmful if consumed in a non-prescribed way intentionally or unintentionally. Medicines may harm our health system and stimulate various side effects like vomiting, dizziness, sickness, diarrhoea, stomach pain, headaches, etc. There are many examples of toxic chemicals in medicines such as caffeine in coffee, mercury, tea, arsenic, hydrogen sulfide, chlorine gas, etc. 

Chemical Structure of Medicines

The chemical structure of medicine defines its physicochemical properties. It also defines its absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxic properties, and finally affects the pharmacological action of the medication molecule. Medicinal chemists can regulate the pharmacological action of a medication molecule by rectifying its structure. Because approved medicines have already enacted tough pre-clinical and clinical research. Summarization of common characteristics of the chemical structures of the global small molecular medicines as a criterion to supervise the selection, design, and optimization of lead compounds and medicine candidates in the initial stages of preclinical research, will not only enhance the success rate of medicines but similarly remove those insignificant drug-like compounds in advance and resist additional research and development expenditures.

Conclusion

Medicines is a chemical compounds used to cure various diseases like reducing fever or relieving pain. The Medicines are categorized as traditional medicines and modern medicines. Traditional medicines are developed from natural resources like plants and animals, while modern medicines are artificially synthesized in the labs. The Medicines contain desirable and undesirable side effects. The Medicines should always be consumed in a prescribed way to prevent any side effects.