Organic Chemistry

Section 30.1 Naming Drugs 1207

written. Antibiotics are the most widely prescribed class of drugs in the world. In the

developed world, heart drugs are the most widely prescribed class, partly because they

are generally taken for the remainder of the patient’s life. In recent years, prescriptions

for psychotropic drugs have decreased as doctors have become more aware of problems

associated with addiction, and prescriptions for asthma have increased, reflecting a

greater incidence (or awareness) of the disease. The U.S. market accounts for 50% of

pharmaceutical sales. The aging U.S. population (by 2005, nearly 30% will be over 50

years old) will lead to increased demand for treating conditions such as high cholesterol

levels, hypertension, diabetes, osteoarthritis, and menopause symptoms.

Throughout this book we have encountered many drugs, vitamins, and hormones,

and in many cases we have discussed the mechanism by which each compound

produces its physiological effect. Table 30.2 lists some of these compounds, their uses,

and where in the text they are discussed. Now we will take a look at how drugs are

discovered and how they are named, and we will examine some of the techniques

currently used by scientists in their search for new drugs.

Drug, hormone, or vitamin Remark Section or chapter

Sulfa drugs The first antibiotics Section 25.8

Tetracycline Broad-spectrum antibiotic Section 5.8

Puromycin Broad-spectrum antibiotic Section 27.13

Nonactin Ionophorous antibiotic Section 12.9

Penicillin Antibiotic Sections 17.4 and 17.16

Gentamicin Antibiotic Section 22.19

Gramicidin S Antibiotic Section 23.8

Aspirin Analgesic, anti-inflammatory agent Sections 19.9 and 26.5

Enkephalins Painkillers Section 23.8

Diethyl ether Anesthetic Section 12.6

Sodium pentothal Sedative hypnotic Section 12.6

5-fluorouracil Anticancer agent Section 25.8

Methotrexate Anticancer agent Section 25.8

Anticancer agent Section 18.12

Thalidomide Sedative with teratogenic side effects Section 5.15

AZT* Anti-AIDS agent Section 27.17

Warfarin Anticoagulant Section 25.9

Epinephrine Vasoconstrictor, bronchodilator Section 10.11

Vitamins Chapter 25, Sections 9.8,

18.11, 21.11, 22.19, 26.4,

and 26.7

Hormones Sections 23.8 and 26.9–26.11

* 3 ¿-Azido- -deoxythymidine 2 ¿

Taxol®

Table 30.2 Drugs, Hormones, and Vitamins Discussed in Earlier Chapters

30.1 Naming Drugs

The most accurate names of drugs are the chemical names that define their structures.

However, these names are too long and complicated to appeal to physicians or the

general public. The pharmaceutical company is allowed to choose the proprietary

name for a drug it develops. A proprietary name (trade nameor brand name)iden-

tifies a commercial product and distinguishes it from other products. A proprietary

name can be used only by the owner of the registered trademark, which can be a

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