Laughing Gas, Viagra, and Lipitor: The Human Stories behind the Drugs We Use PDF

Rating: (3 reviews) Author: Jie Jack Li ISBN : 9780195300994 New from $16.14 Format: PDF

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The stories behind drug discovery are fascinating, full of human and scientific interest. This is a book on the history of drug discovery that highlights the intellectual splendor of discoverers as well as the human frailty associated them. History is replete with examples of breakthrough medicines that have saved millions of lives. Ether as an anesthetic by Morton; penicillin as an antibiotic by Fleming; and insulin as an anti-diabetic by Banting are just a few examples. The discoverers of these medicines are doubtlessly benefactors to mankind--for instance, without penicillin, 75% of us probably would not be alive because some of our parents or grandparents would have succumbed to infections.
Dr. Jack Li, a medicinal chemist who is intimately involved with drug discovery, has assembled an astounding amount of facts and information behind important drugs through extensive literature research and interviews with many inventors of the drugs including Viagra and Lipitor. There have been many myths and inaccuracies associated with those legendary drugs. The inventors perspectives afforded this book an invaluable accuracy and insight because history is not history unless it is true.
The text is supplemented by many anecdotes, pictures and postage stamps. Both specialist and layman will find Laughing Gas, Viagra, and Lipitor informative and entertaining. Students in chemistry, pharmacy, and medicine, workers in healthcare and high school science teachers will find this book most useful.

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• Product Details
• Table of Contents
• Reviews

• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 1 edition (September 7, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195300998
• ISBN-13: 978-0195300994
• Product Dimensions: 0.8 x 6.2 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)

Laughing Gas, Viagra, and Lipitor: The Human Stories behind the Drugs We Use PDF

When I bought this book, I didn't quite know what to expect, other than the story of how some drugs are made. I didn't know if it would cover a few "blockbuster" drugs or entire classes of drugs and I didn't know if it would be written for a lay person or a scientist. Having been fascinated with drug synthesis for years, I bought the book and hoped for the best. And, the best is what I discovered.

This book, written by a biopharmacologist, could have been a nightmarish read due to the complexity of the subject matter. And, while some knowledge of chemistry and biology is needed to fully comprehend the book, it is written in a way so that most lay people will be able to understand the most important material included. Yes, some of the information will be over the head of the average reader, but I'm not sure it could have been made simpler without losing some of the very necessary information needed for the formation of these compounds.

Despite my fears, the book does cover a wide range of drugs in a wide range of classes. Each chapter is devoted to a class of drug, and the sub headings are devoted to either specific drugs, or their groupings. The chapters, in order are:

* The Cancer drugs

* Drugs to Kill Germs

* Cardiovascular Drugs: From Nitroglycerin to Lipitor

* Sex and Drugs

* Drugs of the Mind

* Diabetes Drugs

* Anesthetics

* Anti-Inflammatory Drugs

The detail in each chapter highlights and explores the various drugs within the class that made them special, noteworthy or historical to medicine. The details are often times amazing, and fun, and provide an insight into how researchers work.