Pharmaceutical Chemistry Drug Discovery

The study of how drugs work, including their creation, properties, interactions with the body, and potential improvements.

Specific molecules in the body, usually proteins, that drugs interact with to produce their effects.

The relationship between the amount of drug given and the effect it produces.

The process by which a drug binds to a specific molecule in the body (usually a protein) to initiate a biological response.

The time a drug takes to act and how long it remains effective in the body.

The process by which the body changes the chemical structure of a drug.

The initial phase of drug development, where a potential drug target is identified and tested for its interaction with new compounds.

The second phase in drug development, where promising compounds are selected and optimized for maximum impact on the target molecule.

The final stage of drug development, where large-scale trials are conducted across diverse populations to confirm the effectiveness and safety of the drug.

The process of how a drug is absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted from the body.

Describes how a drug interacts with its biological target to produce its therapeutic effect.

Compounds that show some biological activity during initial screenings, suggesting potential for further development.

Active compounds that have been refined and improved, ready for clinical trials.

Drugs that have successfully passed preclinical evaluations and are ready to be tested on patients in clinical trials.

Categorizing medications based on how they work in the body, like pain relievers (analgesics) or mood-regulating drugs (antidepressants).

When a medication targets a specific part of the body, like the Central Nervous System (CNS) affecting mood and anxiety. This helps categorize drugs like antidepressants and anxiolytics.

The official name (chemical name) of a medication that describes its molecular structure. It helps pharmaceutical companies understand the medication's composition.

The brand name given to a medication by a company, like 'Tylenol' or 'Advil'. These names are easier to remember and market.

The process of developing a new drug from an idea to its availability in the market. It requires significant investment and time.

The cost of developing a new drug is very high, and it takes many years of research to get a new treatment ready for patients.

Improving the efficiency of drug development to reduce its costs and time. This allows for faster and more affordable access to new treatments for patients.

The study of the chemical structures of drugs and how they relate to their medicinal properties. This helps scientists understand how drugs work at a molecular level.

The first stage of drug metabolism, where the drug is chemically altered (oxidized, reduced, or hydrolyzed) to become more polar.

The second stage of drug metabolism, where the modified drug is linked to another molecule (like glucuronic acid) to further increase water solubility for easier excretion.

A method used to predict how changes in a molecule's structure might affect its biological activity, helping to design more potent and safer drugs.

Preclinical testing is the first step to evaluate a drug's safety and effectiveness in laboratory settings before human testing.

Clinical trials are conducted in human participants to evaluate drug safety, efficacy, and dosage.

The use of clinical trials to test the effectiveness and safety of a drug in different patient groups.

The first stage of drug metabolism, where chemical modifications are introduced or exposed on the drug molecule.

A chemical reaction that adds oxygen or removes hydrogen from a drug molecule, often catalyzed by enzymes like cytochrome P450.

The second stage of drug metabolism, where the modified drug molecule is conjugated with another molecule, often making it more water-soluble for excretion.

The process of eliminating drugs and their metabolites from the body, usually through urine or feces.

The use of specific names for drugs to differentiate them from their chemical structures.

The process of drug development where promising compounds undergo optimization to enhance their effectiveness and reduce unwanted side effects.

The phase of drug development where drugs are evaluated in controlled trials involving patients to assess their effectiveness and safety in humans.

The process by which drugs are absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted by the body.