Drugs in Daily Life.

A drug is a chemical substance that has known biological effects on humans or other animals. 

The role played by organic chemistry in the pharmaceutical industry continues to be one of the main drivers in the drug discovery process. However, the precise nature of that role is undergoing a visible change, not only because of the new synthetic methods and technologies now available to the synthetic and medicinal chemist, but also in several key areas, particularly in drug metabolism and chemical toxicology, as chemists deal with the ever more rapid turnaround of testing data that influences their day-to-day decisions.

Antibiotics

Antibiotics are a group of medicines that are used to treat infections caused by bacteria and certain parasites. They are sometimes called antibacterials. Antibiotics can be taken by mouth as liquids, tablets, or capsules, or they can be given by injection. Usually, people who need to have an antibiotic by injection are in hospital because they have a severe infection. Antibiotics are also available as creams, ointments, or lotions to apply to the skin to treat certain skin infections.

It is important to remember that antibiotics only work against infections that are caused by bacteria and certain parasites. They do not work against infections that are caused by viruses (for example, the common cold or flu), or fungi (for example, thrush in the mouth or vagina), or fungal infections of the skin.

Occasionally, a viral infection or minor bacterial infection develops into a more serious secondary bacterial infection.

There are various antibiotics available and they come in various different brand names. Antibiotics are usually grouped together based on how they work. Each type of antibiotic only works against certain types of bacteria or parasites. This is why different antibiotics are used to treat different types of infection. The main types of antibiotics include:

·         Penicillins - for example, penicillin V, flucloxacillin, and amoxicillin.

·         Cephalosporins - for example, cefaclor, cefadroxil, cefalexin.

·         Tetracyclines - for example, tetracycline, doxycycline, and minocycline.

·         Aminoglycosides - for example, gentamicin, amikacin, and tobramycin.

·         Macrolides - for example, erythromycin, azithromycin, and clarithromycin.

·         Clindamycin.

·         Sulfonamides and trimethoprim - for example, co-trimoxazole.

·         Metronidazole and tinidazole.

·         Quinolones - for example, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, and norfloxacin.

Analgesics

Analgesics, also known as "painkillers", are medicines which relieve pain. Most analgesics are safe to use when taken as prescribed or instructed by your doctor or pharmacist, in conjunction with the manufacturer’s instructions on the packaging. Some extra precautions may apply to patients with pre-existing medical conditions such as kidney failure or gastric ulcers. 

This page outlines some commonly used over-the-counter analgesics, including what they are used for, possible side effects and risks associated with using them outside the directions on the packet. The painkillers covered are:

·         aspirin

·         codeine (in combination products)

·         ibuprofen

·         paracetamol.

Analgesics are available in many forms. These include tablets, capsules, suppositories, soluble powders and liquids. Analgesics are generally swallowed and their intended purpose is to relieve pain. Some can also be used to relieve fever, symptoms of cold and flu, reduce inflammation and swelling, control diarrhea and suppress coughing.