Chemicals in Medicine

Primary Keyword: Chemicals in medicine , Chemicals used in medicine

Given the emergence of a virus as a worldwide threat to humanity, it is superfluous to highlight the importance of medicinal chemistry in contemporary culture. We have seen personally how fast a virus may erupt into a pandemic if we lack access to appropriate treatments and immunisations.

Pharmaceuticals are chemical substances. Chemicals in medicine/drugs may alter the body’s functions on a physical or psychological level, or possibly both. Small molecule medications are molecules with low molecular masses (between 150 and 500u) that interact with macromolecule targets and generate desired biological responses. Pharmaceuticals are referred to as medicines employed to induce a favorable and therapeutic biological response.

Chemicals used in Medicine

Chemical composition, biological interactions, and other variables are used to classify medicines into various categories. Here is a breakdown of the compounds used in medicine:

• Antacid chemicals

In our stomachs, we have hydrochloric acid, a gastric acid that aids in digestion and fights stomach illness. Acid reflux disease is caused by an overabundance of stomach acid, leading to symptoms such as gastric ulcers and heartburn. ‘Antacids’ are required to treat this disease. Acid reflux may be relieved by taking antacids, which are chemical compounds used to neutralize excess stomach acids and gastric fluids.

Ranitidine, Sodium Bicarbonate, and Magnesium Hydroxide are among the examples.

• Antihistamines

Antihistamines are medications that are used to treat allergic symptoms and illnesses. People who are sensitive to pollen and other allergens are the most likely to use these products. The most often prescribed antihistamine medications are cetirizine, brompheniramine Seldane, and pheniramine maleate.

• Analgesics and Tranquilizers

Painkillers and tranquilizers fall into two categories. Medication that has a neurotransmitter-like function facilitates signal transmission from a neuron to a receptor. There are two basic classes of medications: sedatives and analgesics.

• Tranquilizers

Tranquilizers have a calming effect on the body and mind, and they assist patients to feel relaxed and serene by reducing both the physical and psychological symptoms of anxiety or stress, among other things. Only short- and medium-term use is recommended due to their inclusion in sleeping medicines.

Neurotransmitter noradrenaline is measured in the blood, which has a substantial impact on mood. If the noradrenaline level in the circulation is low, the person is depressed. Antidepressant medication is crucial in treating these kinds of issues. Examples of these drugs include pentobarbital, Xanax (Alprazolam), Limbitrol (Chlordiazepoxide), and Valium (Diazepam).

• Analgesics

Analgesics relieve pain by blocking the transmission of pain signals to the brain. They are also referred to as “pain relievers.” They are classified into two categories:

• Non-narcotic analgesics

Non-narcotic analgesics, such as ibuprofen, as well as antipyretics, which inhibit the hypothalamus’s synthesis of prostaglandins, are also available. Aspirin and paracetamol are two of the most well-known drugs in this class. The chemical name for aspirin is acetylsalicylic acid. It is used in the treatment of pain, fever, and inflammation, among other conditions. It is also used to alleviate minor discomfort, such as aches and pains, as well as to treat fever. Their non-narcotic analgesic properties indicate that they are less likely to become addictive.

• Narcotic Analgesics

By engaging with particular opiate receptors, narcotic analgesics provide desirable pharmacological effects such as fever reduction and sleep induction. Morphine opioids (obtained from the opium poppy) are most commonly used to provide pain relief during surgery, heart discomfort, labor pain during childbirth, advanced cancer stages, and other conditions.

• Antimicrobials

Antimicrobials are a class of medications that work by slowing the growth of disease-causing microbes such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other pathogenic organisms. Antibiotics, for example, are used against bacteria, antivirals are used against viruses, and antifungals are used against fungus.

• Antibiotics

Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial illnesses because they are less hazardous to people and animals than other medications. Antibiotics are now defined as a material created entirely or in part by chemical synthesis that inhibits the development of infections or causes them to be destroyed.

Paul Ehrlich, a German bacteriologist, was the pioneer in the development of antibiotics. He investigated the medicine arsphenamine (an arsenic-based structure), better known as salvarsan, for the treatment of syphilis. However, arsphenamine and salvarsan are toxic to humans and are no longer used for this purpose. The discovery of Penicillin from a fungus by Alexander Fleming in 1929 marked the beginning of a true revolution in the area of antibiotics, which continues to this day.

• Antiseptics and disinfectants

Antiseptics are substances that are used to inhibit the growth of bacteria or to kill them without causing harm to the live tissues. They can be used to treat wounds, cuts, and contaminated skin surfaces, among other things. They are also used in deodorants, mouthwashes, and mouth fresheners to eliminate the unpleasant odors created by a bacterial breakdown in the body, which can be unpleasant for the user.

When comparing antiseptics with disinfectants, the most significant distinction is that an antiseptic is administered to live cells, whilst disinfectants are applied to non-living surfaces in order to eliminate germs. Dettol is a typical antiseptic that is made out of a blend of chloroxylenol and terpineol, among other ingredients. Disinfectants are chemicals such as chlorine and phenol solutions.

Conclusion

Medicine is a chemical molecule that is used to treat ailments or alleviate pain in patients. Chemicals in medicine can cure or deteriorate your health. Traditional medicines are distinguished from contemporary medications, which are the opposite of each other. Traditional medications are taken from natural resources such as plants and animals, whereas contemporary medicines are created artificially in a laboratory and then administered to patients. Unwanted side effects of medications are common. Medicines should also be taken in the manner suggested by a healthcare professional in order to avoid any negative effects.