alters the physiological state (consciousness,
activity level or coordination)
alters incoming sensory sensations •
alters mood or
emotions
Medicine or drug
any chemical that does one or more of the
following to the human body, for better or
worse
Stages in the development of a drug
1. Identify disease
2. Identify a molecular target
3. Identify ‘lead’ molecule that can act on
gene/enzyme in the disease organism
4. Preclinical trials: testing of ‘lead molecule’ in laboratory
(in vitro/In Vivo)
5. Clinical trials (Testing of its effectiveness)
6. Submission of reports to international or national regulatory bodies
7. Monitoring of the drug
Methods of administering drugs
•Oral
Parenteral
intravenouso, intramuscular
& subcutaneous
•Inhalation
Rectal
Skin patches
Terms
Dosing regime = the amount of drug used for each
The therapeutic window is the range in amount
or concentration over which a drug can be safely administered to a
typical population
Tolerance refers to the body’s reduced response to a drug
Side-effects are physiological effects which are not intended and
therefore undesired (intended = therapeutic effects)
The placebo effect occurs when a person experiences a positive therapeutic effect
because they believe they have been given a medicine although the substance
given is not a medicine