L10.Drug Source

Drug Sources

• Drugs originate from various sources, which can be categorized into five basic types:

  • Plants:

    • Historically, the first drugs were derived from herbs and other plant materials.

    • Plant materials are often combined with acids to form medicinal salts.

    • Example: Morphine sulfate, used for pain relief.

    • Example: Digoxin, an extract from the Foxglove flower, used to treat congestive heart failure.

  • Animals:

    • Body fluids and glands of animals are utilized to derive drugs.

    • Example: Insulin, originally obtained from cows and pigs, was the first treatment for diabetes until the 1980s.

    • Animal insulin remains available by prescription despite the prevalence of human insulin today.

  • Minerals:

    • Certain minerals offer therapeutic benefits.

    • Example: Gold salts were historically used to manage severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA), offering greater effectiveness than pain relievers until the 1990s, though their use has declined due to side effects.

  • Chemicals:

    • Chemical or synthetic drugs are developed through formulations based on chemistry, biology, and computer science.

    • Example: Oral contraceptives are a product of chemical drug development.

    • Chemical drugs can originate from organic or inorganic materials, with laboratory modifications enhancing their therapeutic properties.

  • Engineered substances:

    • These drugs are genetically designed rather than chemically manufactured.

    • Examples include newer insulin substitutes, showcasing advancements in genetic engineering.

Top 200 Most-Prescribed Drugs

• As students continue their studies, familiarity with the Top 200 Most-Prescribed Drugs is vital:

  • This annual list reflects Pareto's Principle, indicating that approximately 80 percent of effects arise from 20 percent of causes.

  • The Top 200 drugs account for 80 percent of prescriptions filled.

  • The list is updated yearly, and it's recommended to search online for current information.

  • The course includes flashcards to aid learning of these medications and their FDA-approved uses.

Study Tips

• Some professionals argue it's crucial to memorize the names and uses of the Top 200 drugs for pharmacy practice.

• Engage with study materials and flashcards to reinforce learning of these essential medications.