Anticonvulsants
Many drugs has been discovered which can stop convulsion of
epilepsy or other convulsive disorder. Among best known are Dilantin, Peganone,
Phenurone, Paradione, Tridione, Mysoline, Milontin.
These drugs are of
greatest importance because today thousands of persons with convulsive disorder
are enabled to go months or even longer without a convulsion through proper
use. Because of their potency, only a physician who has thoroughly studied patient
and who understands nature of convulsive disorder should prescribe drug of his
choice according to needs of individual patient.
Certain other drugs which act on nervous system may prevent cough
by their local effects on nervous system and on tissues involved in coughing.
Codeine, a derivative of morphine, is a powerful drug in preventing coughs.
There are, however other drugs not derived from morphine which prevent cough
through action on nervous systems.
The tranquilizing drugs include particularly thorazine pacatal
trilafon compazine sparine dartal vesprin and temeril. Under these groups also
come derivative of rauwolfia which include serpasil, reserpine and similar
preparations. Most widely known of tranquilizers is meprobamate which are also
known as equanil. This, however, are relaxant drug rather than a depressant.
Many drugs has been discovered which can stop convulsion of
epilepsy or other convulsive disorder. Among best known are Dilantin, Peganone,
Phenurone, Paradione, Tridione, Mysoline, Milontin.
Nervous system stimulants
There are drugs which stimulate nervous system and which is used to
overcome depression to energize body and to oppose actions of sedative and
tranquilizers. Many of these drugs are toxic in sense that they may raise blood
pressure, stimulate beating of heart and produce great breathlessness.
For years people have known that tea and coffee which contain
caffeine or theobromine or theophylline, have power to stimulate. Students have
taken caffeine or many cups of coffee to keep awake during study. Some
derivatives of choline and of xanthine have effects of stimulating central
nervous system. New psychic energizers which control endogenous depression are
Nardil Catron Tofranil and many more.
Contraceptives
Contraceptives are used to inhibit action of sperm cells or to
prevent the passage of the sperm into the uterus. They are of many varieties
and are discussed under others section of these work.
Skin Remedies
The number of chemical substances used
upon the human skin rungs into hundreds. This is used to protect the skin, to
control blemishes, to disinfect skin, to stop itching, to take cares of scaling
and oiliness, to remove skin and for many others purpose. In chapter on skin
many of these remedies are detailed discussed.
Alcohol Deterrents
Among new remedies recently developed
drugs like disulfiram or anti abuse which causes person who take them develops
unfavorable symptom to drinking alcohol. Such a drug obviously must use with
greatest of care because of possible dangers from poisoning.
Enzymes
Within the human body there is
substances produced which act to aid functions of body. One enzyme called
hyaluronidase can limit the spread of fluid in the body and is used to prevent
scar tissues.
Another enzyme can inactivate
penicillin and are used when there is toxic reaction from use of penicillin.
Some enzymes prevent clotting of blood
and is used to dissolve clot. One such enzyme Chymotrypsin, is injected into
eye to loosen the tissues around a cataract.
Stomach and intestinal drugs
Persons who suffer from excess acid
can take drug which stop flow of acid. Other drug protect wall of stomach
against effects of acid.
Blood Derivatives
Many substances have been derived from
blood and is used in medicines. These includes the whole blood itself as are
used for transfusion, the serum from blood, liquid portion of blood (which are
called plasma), the clotting material (which are called fibrin). Other
substance such as heparin, dicumarol, tromexan prevent clotting of blood and
are used after coronary thrombosis to prevent further clotting. Some drugs have
been developed which is used to prevent bleedings. These include Thrombin,
which is derived from the blood itself.
Various drugs are used to stimulate
growth of red blood cell, including particularly iron and various form and
modification of iron. Also there are organic substance derived from liver, from
wall of stomach which may stimulates growth of red blood cells.
Hormones
The glands of internal secretion include pituitary gland, thyroid, adrenal
glands the sex glands. From all of these, substances have been derived which
have powerful effects. From adrenal glands come cortisone and hydrocortisone,
also adrenalin, aldosterone. The pituitary gland comes pituitrin, ACTH and
various other hormones which stimulate the action of the breasts, sex gland,
thyroid or adrenals. Sex gland which includes ovaries and testes gives rise to
hormones which is of great importance in functions of body, including function
of growth.
The pituitary believed to contain
hormones which are important in affecting the color of the body and the growth
of the body.
The pancreas comes insulin which
control the use of sugar by the body, trypsin which are digestive ferment. (See
also Endocrinology).
Immunologic Agents
By injection of various substances
into human body the blood produces substances which resist proteins which have
been injected. By such techniques we derives various serum and antitoxins. Thus
there are vaccines and serums against many diseases. These vaccines are now
available against influenza whooping cough poliomyelitis rabies tuberculosis
and many other disorders.
Serum is made against almost any type
of germs but they are effective only according to response of the animals to
the toxic substances.
Edema-Reducing Agents
Among the greatest of recent discovery
is drug which can causes elimination of fluid from body. Among this is
particularly diamox and diuril. This has been found to be of greatest
importance in heart failures, in various other conditions in which fluid
collect in tissue. Before, this new discovery, various mercury derivatives was
used and some is still used for same purposes. On other hand, a drug called Benemid
derived from benzoic acid serve to block renal tubules so that a drug like
penicillin are held in body until it can have its effect.
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