INTRODUCTION TO DRUG
Drugs have been used in treating disease or thousands of years. The writings of most of the ancient civilizations contain directions for the preparation and administration of drugs. Nearly all the remedies described had little if any effect but it is of interest that among the bizzare prescriptions containing such ingredients as fat of the hippopotamus and big pile, can be found drugs which are still used today. The ancient Egyptians were familiar with the purging effect of castor oil, the Arabians used both opium and senna, and in more recent times the effects of digitalis on oedema were known to country people with no medical training. Nevertheless, the use of drugs in the treatment of disease remained entirely empirical and usually misdirected until nineteenth century. This period saw the emergence of rational physiology and pathology and on this foundation it was possible to study the effect of drugs and their use in disease.
At first, investigation was confined to observation of the effect of various drugs on the whole animal or human patient. With the rise of experimental physiology it became possible to investigate the action of drugs on isolated organs and thus obtain a much clearer picture of their effects and potential use as therapeutic agents. Such investigation has brought into therapeutic use such useful drugs as adrenaline and ergometrine.
While this work was progressing the chemical structure of many drugs was being unravelled and it thus proved practicable to relate the function of drugs to their chemical composition. This was an important advance for it meant that by altering slightly the structure of a drug it might be possible to enhance its useful action and get rid of any troublesome side-effects. This led to the introduction of many synthetic substances which have proved invaluable in the treatment of disease.
Although extensive experiments in animals led to many useful advances it is now realised that there are important differences between pharmacology of drugs in animals and man. Even in the relatively early stages of introducing a new drug investigation of its action requires studies in humans. This has led to the emergence of clinical pharmacology which is essentially the study of drug action in man.
This article is powered by Daverose Hospital (FHE Road Olomore Abeokuta. 08036190688,08039132576
At first, investigation was confined to observation of the effect of various drugs on the whole animal or human patient. With the rise of experimental physiology it became possible to investigate the action of drugs on isolated organs and thus obtain a much clearer picture of their effects and potential use as therapeutic agents. Such investigation has brought into therapeutic use such useful drugs as adrenaline and ergometrine.
While this work was progressing the chemical structure of many drugs was being unravelled and it thus proved practicable to relate the function of drugs to their chemical composition. This was an important advance for it meant that by altering slightly the structure of a drug it might be possible to enhance its useful action and get rid of any troublesome side-effects. This led to the introduction of many synthetic substances which have proved invaluable in the treatment of disease.
Although extensive experiments in animals led to many useful advances it is now realised that there are important differences between pharmacology of drugs in animals and man. Even in the relatively early stages of introducing a new drug investigation of its action requires studies in humans. This has led to the emergence of clinical pharmacology which is essentially the study of drug action in man.
This article is powered by Daverose Hospital (FHE Road Olomore Abeokuta. 08036190688,08039132576
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