Product Description

Many of us think nothing of taking a painkiller to ease a headache, or to relieve the symptoms of 'flu. But how do drugs have their effect in the human body? How are new drugs discovered and designed to be as effective as possible? An Introduction to Medicinal Chemistry offers an engaging insight into the one field of chemistry that arguably has the greatest impact on our quality of life than any other. Newly structured into four parts, the book opens in Part A with an introduction to pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics. Pharmacodynamics considers the types of molecular targets used by drugs, the interactions which are involved when a drug meets that target, and the consequences of those interactions. Pharmacokinetics considers the issues involved in a drug reaching its target in the first place. Part B goes on to examine the general principles and strategies involved in discovering and designing new drugs and developing them for the marketplace, while Part C looks at particular 'tools of the trade' which are invaluable in those processes. Finally, Part D covers a selection of specific topics within medicinal chemistry. Reflecting a change in emphasis in medicinal chemistry research, this Part takes us from the largely trial-and-error approach to drug design to the rational approach, and explores the most recent advances in molecular biology and genetics which have revolutionised drug design. With a striking new two-colour text design, and greatly enriched learning features, the third edition conveys the fascination of working in a field which overlaps the disciplines of chemistry, biochemistry, physiology, microbiology, cell biology, and pharmacology. A must-have textbook for any student of medicinal chemistry. Online Resource Centre - Figures available to download, to facilitate lecture preparation - 3D molecular structures, to enable students to visualise key structures in an interactive way - Multiple choice questions with answers, to support and encourage independent learning

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #253939 in Books
• Published on: 2005-04-28
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 768 pages

Review
.,."an excellent book in the always changing field of medicinal chemistry."--Doody's Book Review

About the Author
Dr Graham L Patrick, Lecturer in Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Paisley, UK.

Customer Reviews

Great book for those studying medicinal chemistry!
For the topics the book covers - it certainly does well! It is easy to follow and understand. The diagrams are clear and helpful - espcially in the opiates chapter. It is generally a useful resource in furthering your understanding of this subject!

However, if I should have one critisism - it certainly doesn't and wouldn't be able to cover everything.. Noticeably it lacks information on certain receptor groups. It also doesn't cover in depth possible chemistry mechanisms, which I believe enhances understanding.

Overall though this is a useful book!

An excellent breif overview
A very good introduction into a field of interest to many different disciplines. Its appeal to such a variety of scientific backgrounds means that it lacks specific detail to some. Its ability to spark the imagination and unifty concepts is powerful. The third edition (2005) offers a breif but essential summery of relevant key concepts within my own background, theoretical and computational chemistry, despite some matieral quickly being outdated. The rest of the book offered an intriguing insight into the minds of collegues within the drug development industry. Suitible to undergraduates, this text is an invaluble introduction to broad range of exciting fields.

An Introduction to Medicinal Chemistry (2nd Edition)
It's a good textbook for a chemistry student who needs to know a little bit of every branches of his studies, but the level is not enough high if you want to understand the biochemical processes completely.