B6

• Antigens


  Unique proteins on the surface of cells
• Antigens on microorganisms


  Different to the ones of your cells
• Immune system recognizes different antigens


  Produces specific antibodies which join up with the antigen and destroy the pathogen
• Painkillers


  Ease symptoms but do not cure the pathogen
• Antibiotics


  Damage bacterial cells without damaging own cells, cannot kill viral pathogens
• Characteristics of a good medicine

  • Effective
  • Safe
  • Stable
  • Can be successfully taken in and out of the body
• New drug development


  1. Extensive testing for efficacy, toxicity & dosage

  2. Preclinical testing on cells, tissues & live animals

  3. Clinical trials on healthy volunteers & patients to check for side effects and efficacy
• Bigger clinical trials are done to find optimum dosage of the drug
• Double blind trials


  A group of patients with the target disease take part, some are given a placebo and some are given the new medicine, doctors or patients both don't know who receives the real drug or the placebo until the trial is over
• The placebo sometimes contains a different drug that is already used to treat the disease so the patient is not missing out on any treatment while taking part in the trial