testing medicines

• Why do new medicines need to be extensively tested?

  To ensure their safety and effectiveness
• From where were medicines often extracted in the past?

  Plants
• What is the name of the plant used to extract digitalis?

  Foxglove
• Which painkiller was extracted from willow trees?

  Aspirin
• Who discovered penicillin and from which microorganism?

  Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin from the mould Penicillium
• What is the current trend in the synthesis of new drugs?

  Most new drugs are synthesized by chemists in pharmaceutical companies
• What is the first stage of drug testing called?

  Preclinical testing
• Why is preclinical testing not carried out on humans?

  Because a drug could be extremely toxic
• On what subjects is preclinical testing carried out?

  Cells, tissues, or live animals
• What happens after preclinical testing is completed?

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

  To check that the drug is safe for 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 the fewest side effects
• What is a placebo?

  A tablet or injection with no active drug in it
• Why might some patients get better when given a placebo?

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

  A test where neither patients nor doctors know who receives the active drug
• What is the purpose of using a placebo in drug testing?

  To prevent bias in the results
• What are the stages of drug testing?

  1. Preclinical testing

  • Conducted on cells, tissues, or live animals
  • Checks toxicity

  1. Clinical testing

  • First stage: low doses to healthy volunteers
  • Checks safety in humans
  • Continues to find optimal dose
• What are the key differences between preclinical and clinical testing?

  • Preclinical testing:
  • Not on humans
  • Focuses on toxicity
  • Clinical testing:
  • Conducted on humans
  • Focuses on safety and dosage
• What is the significance of a double-blind trial in drug testing?

  • Prevents bias
  • Ensures objective results
  • Both patients and doctors are unaware of treatment assignments