Drugs and Their Historical Significance

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Questions and Answers

What was the initial use of the plant Ma Huang (Ephedra vulgaris) in ancient China?

To enhance athletic performance.

To act as a diuretic.

To treat coughs. (correct)

To induce hallucinations for religious rituals.

Which ancient Greek figure is associated with the theory of the four humors?

Galen

Theophrastus

Hippocrates (correct)

Aristotle

Which substance, found in cacao seeds (Theobroma cacao), is a stimulant?

Pseudoephedrine

Ephedrine

Theobromine (correct)

Theophylline

What is the primary effect of caffeine on the human body, according to the text?

As a stimulant and diuretic. Signup and view all the answers

What medical use was associated with arsenic trioxide (As2O3) in the 1800s?

Treatment of trypanosomes. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a common effect of recreational drugs on the central nervous system (CNS)?

Alterations in behavior, perception, and consciousness Signup and view all the answers

A chemical substance used in the treatment, cure, prevention or diagnosis of disease is best described as a:

Pharmacological drug Signup and view all the answers

What is a common usage of pseudoephedrine?

As a decongestant Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary reason Frances Oldham Kelsey did not approve thalidomide for use in the US?

She thought that the drug had been rushed through it's approval process. Signup and view all the answers

Which condition was first observed to be treated with thalidomide, with positive results?

Erythema nodosum leprosum Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary concern with thalidomide usage that the WHO stated in 2010?

The difficulty of controlling its use due to the negative side effects. Signup and view all the answers

What is a critical physiological process that Judah Folkman discovered thalidomide inhibits?

The growth of blood vessels from existing vasculature Signup and view all the answers

What did researchers discover about the use of thalidomide in individuals with multiple myeloma?

It is ineffective as a solo treatment. Signup and view all the answers

What is a consistent requirement for women prescribed thalidomide to ensure their safety?

They are required to use two forms of birth control and submit to regular pregnancy tests. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following conditions led to the FDA granting accelerated approval for thalidomide?

Treatment of multiple myeloma with dexamethasone Signup and view all the answers

In what year did the FDA approve the use of thalidomide for the treatment of erythema nodosum leprosum?

1998 Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following scientists is credited with the development of arsphenamine, also known as '606'?

Paul Ehrlich Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary use of sodium arsanilate or atoxyl?

Treatment of trypanosome infections Signup and view all the answers

What is the mechanism of action of sulfonamides?

They competitively inhibit dihydropteroate synthetase (DHPS), an enzyme involved in folate synthesis. Signup and view all the answers

What is the property of sulfa drugs that makes them bacteriostatic?

They inhibit the growth and reproduction of bacteria. Signup and view all the answers

What led to the discovery of Prontosil as an effective drug?

Its ability to preferentially bind to bacteria and parasites. Signup and view all the answers

What is the active component of Prontosil after it is metabolized in the body?

Sulfanilamide Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary cause of fatalities associated with 'Elixir Sulfanilamide'?

The use of diethylene glycol as a solvent. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a direct consequence of the 'Elixir Sulfanilamide' disaster?

Passage of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act in the United States. Signup and view all the answers

What was the original intended use of thalidomide when it was first developed?

An antiemetic to relieve morning sickness in pregnant women. Signup and view all the answers

What was a key factor in the lack of identification of thalidomide's teratogenic nature during initial testing?

The drug was not administered to pregnant female subjects during animal testing. Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe a substance, such as the (S) enantiomer of thalidomide, that causes malformations in a fetus?

Teratogenic Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best summarizes the actions of the Canadian government in the immediate aftermath of the thalidomide crisis?

The government provided a one-time payment to survivors, with no sustained continuous support programs. Signup and view all the answers

What was the initial reaction of Canadian thalidomide survivors when the CEO of Grünenthal Group apologized in 2012?

They perceived the apology as insincere and insulting. Signup and view all the answers

What did the Thalidomide Victims Association of Canada request in terms of financial support in January 2015?

A lump sum of $250,000 per victim, plus an annual amount of $75,000 to $150,000, depending on level of disability. Signup and view all the answers

In May of 2015, what type of financial support did the Canadian federal government commit to providing thalidomide survivors?

Annual pensions varying from $25,000 up to $100,000 for the rest of the survivors' lives. Signup and view all the answers

Why do many thalidomide survivors today express they are fighting a losing battle?

They are experiencing increased pain and health issues as their bodies age. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

What is a Drug?

A drug is a substance with medicinal, intoxicating, performance-enhancing, or other effects when taken into a human body.
It is not considered food.
In pharmacology, a drug is a chemical substance used for treatment, cure, prevention, or diagnosis of disease.
It can also be used to promote physical or mental well-being.
Recreational drugs affect the central nervous system (CNS), such as opioids and hallucinogens.
They may be used for perceived benefits on perception, consciousness, personality, and behavior.
Some drugs can cause addiction and/or habituation.

Selected Drugs from Early Recorded History

China had documented drug treatment as early as 3000 BCE.
Ma Huang (Ephedra vulgaris) was used to treat coughs.
The active component is ephedrine.
Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) is a diastereomer of ephedrine used as a decongestant.

Structures of amphetamine, methamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) are shown with chemical formulas. This slide provides the chemical structure for these important compounds.

Thalidomide Enantiomers

The various chemical structures for the isomers, R, and S, of thalidomide is presented.

Physical Harm and Dependence of Various Drugs

The graph displays the active/lethal dose ratio and dependence potential of various psychoactive drugs.
Drugs are categorized by their dependence potential (low, moderate, or high) and active/lethal dose ratio (very high, high, medium, moderate/low, or very low).

Middle Ages to Modern Times (6 of 6)

Thalidomide was developed in 1957 to treat morning sickness in the first trimester of pregnancy.
Thalidomide caused birth defects in approximately 10,000 children worldwide from 1960-1961, including 115 in Canada.
Thalidomide wasn't tested on pregnant animals.
It's a racemic mixture, with the (R) enantiomer being effective against morning sickness, but the (S) isomer being teratogenic.

Middle Ages to Modern Times (1 of 6)

Caffeine is found in coffee (Coffea arabica) and is a stimulant and a diuretic.
Introduced to Europe through Constantinople (modern Istanbul) in the 1500s.
Theobromine is found in cacao seeds (Theobroma cacao).

Middle Ages to Modern Times (2 of 6)

Arsenic anti-infectives are organic compounds with at least one arsenic atom.
Arsenic trioxide (As2O3) was used to treat trypanosomes in the 1800s.
Examples include sleeping sickness (Trypanosoma brucei), Chagas disease (Trypanosoma cruzi), and leishmaniasis (various species of Leishmania) have been treated with arsenicals such as arsanilate, or atoxyl and arsphenamine (“606”).

Middle Ages to Modern Times (3 of 6)

Sulfonamides (Sulfa drugs) were the first antimicrobial drugs.
They are synthetic agents containing a sulfonamide group.
They are competitive inhibitors of dihydropteroate synthetase (DHPS), an enzyme important in folate synthesis.
They are bacteriostatic (inhibit bacterial growth) but do not directly kill bacteria.

Middle Ages to Modern Times (4 of 6)

Sulfa drug history began at Bayer AG, a German chemical trust.
The belief was that coal-tar dyes bound preferentially to bacteria and parasites.
In 1932, researcher Gerhard Domagk identified a red dye that stopped some bacterial infections in mice.
Prontosil, named by Bayer, became the first effective compound to treat bacterial infections in the body.

Middle Ages to Modern Times (5 of 6)

Prontosil is a prodrug (inert until metabolised).
It becomes active against bacteria in the body.
The "Elixir Sulfanilamide" disaster involved a formulation that led to widespread deaths.

Thalidomide Update (2012)

Thalidomide maker apologized 50 years after the drug was pulled from the market.
The company paid roughly 500 million Euros to victims.
Canadian Thalidomide survivor Paul Murphy called the apology a joke.

Thalidomide Update (Jan 2015)

Canadian thalidomide survivors expect an offer this month.
The Conservative government backed an NDP motion to support victims of thalidomide.
Victims battle the lingering effects of the drug.
Survivors hope for $250,000 lump sum compensation and $75,000-$150,000 annual payments contingent on disability levels.

Thalidomide Update (May 2015)

Survivors cheered a new annual pension program.
Federal government will provide aid from $75,000-$100,000 per year.

Thalidomide Update (August 2015)

Frances Oldham Kelsey averted a thalidomide tragedy by refusing to rush approval of the drug.
She worked as a drug reviewer for the FDA.
She received an award for her work.
She passed away at the age of 101.

Thalidomide in Modern Medicine (1 of 2)

Thalidomide was used to treat leprosy in 1964 (Jacob Sheskin).
Brazilian doctors prescribe this drug, since 1965, for severe ENL (Erythema nodosum leprosum).
Women using thalidomide are required to use two forms of birth control and undergo regular pregnancy tests.
The FDA approved thalidomide's use in ENL (1998).
The WHO doesn't recommend thalidomide due to control and use difficulty.

Thalidomide in Modern Medicine (2 of 2)

Judah Folkman's research on angiogenesis plays a key role in cancer research.
Angiogenesis is essential for tumor growth.
Thalidomide has shown efficacy in treating multiple myeloma, often in combination with other medications.
In 2006, the FDA approved a combination of thalidomide and dexamethasone for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients.

Cocaine Toothache Drops

A vintage advertisement for cocaine toothache drops is displayed.
The LLOYD MANUFACTURING CO. produced these drops.

Bayer Heroin Hydrochloride

A vintage advertisement for a Bayer heroin product (heroin/hydrochloride) is shown.

Mrs. Winslow's Soothing Syrup

A vintage advertisement for a Mrs. Winslow's Soothing Syrup is shown..

Cigarettes (Nicotine)

Vintage cigarette advertisements from the past are demonstrated.

Cocarettes (Coca and Nicotine)

Vintage cocarette advertisements are displayed.

Middle Ages and Modern Times

Historical usage and development of various drugs and formulations.

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Description

This quiz explores the definition of drugs, their medicinal and recreational uses, and historical applications of selected drugs. It delves into pharmacological substances, their effects on the human body, and notable compounds like ephedrine and MDMA.