testing medicines

• Where did new medicines often come from in the past?

  Extracted from plants
• What is digitalis extracted from?

  Foxglove plant
• What painkiller was extracted from willow trees?

  Aspirin
• Who discovered penicillin?

  Alexander Fleming
• What is the current method for developing most new drugs?

  Synthesized by chemists in pharmaceutical companies
• What must all new drugs be tested for?

  Toxicity, effectiveness, and optimal dose
• What is the first stage of drug testing called?

  Preclinical testing
• On what subjects is preclinical testing carried out?

  Cells, tissues, or live animals
• Why is preclinical testing not carried out on humans?

  A drug could be extremely toxic
• What happens after preclinical testing?

  The drug undergoes clinical testing in humans
• What is the purpose of the first stage of clinical testing?

  To check the drug's safety in humans
• What is given to healthy volunteers during the first stage of clinical testing?

  Very low doses of the drug
• What is the goal of continuing clinical testing after initial safety checks?

  To find the optimal dose with fewest side effects
• What is a placebo?

  A tablet or injection with no active drug
• Why do some patients improve when given a placebo?

  They believe they are being treated
• What is a double-blind test?

  Neither patients nor doctors know the treatment
• What is the purpose of a double-blind trial?

  To stop bias in treatment observation
• Where can you find more questions on testing medicines?

  In the vision workbook
• What are the stages of drug discovery and testing?

  1. Source of new medicines

  • Extracted from plants, microorganisms, or synthesized

  1. Preclinical testing

  • Conducted on cells, tissues, or animals

  1. Clinical testing

  • Initial safety checks on healthy volunteers
  • Finding optimal dose with minimal side effects

  1. Use of placebos in trials

  • Double-blind testing to prevent bias