An Introduction to Medicinal Chemistry

by Graham L. Patrick

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.

Companion Web Site

- 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

Genres: Science, Chemistry, Textbooks, Nonfiction

770 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

Reviews

[Rushali Gupta]

I have referred to this book at times, while I was taking a short introductory course on this topic, & it's a very thoroughly written book, in an easy-to-understand language. If you are new to this applied course, I would recommend starting with this book. All basic concepts are covered, & the colorful molecules keep you interested enough to keep reading!

I haven't completely read this book but aim to, in the future.

[Jeffrey Romine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Expertly done. I read every chapter. This book is a great book for medicinal chemists looking to study an area they wish to learn more about, or prospective students looking gain an appreciate for what it takes to bring a drug to the market. It is quite detailed in terms of historical compounds, mechanisms, drug classes, receptor types, etc.

[gogo]

lol dropped this course

[Myles O'mara]

I was happy to have read this book because it was the first applied chemistry book / subject I'd studied since I began studying chemistry in college. Although it was very nice to be able to understand the vernacular of chemistry in application, that was by far not the majority of the book. Most of the book had to do with pharmacokinetics, and the various steps and methods of designing drugs; a subject I knew almost nothing about until reading this book. I also learned a good deal about human biology, various diseases and their drug treatments, and how drugs are made and tested for effectiveness and safety. The book itself is well written, and I thought that author added a good sense of personality in his writing, making it a less arduous reading than in may have been otherwise.

[علي مروعي · Rating 5 out of 5]

stages in drug discovery

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thorough and highly readable, an excellent text for the aspiring medicinal chemist or reference for the seasoned practitioner.

[Samuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just a couple of chapters in, but so far this is a very readable and very very likeable book. It makes studying the topic a real joy. It strikes such a great balance between starting out with the overview picture, while also diving in to cover also some ground in terms of concrete details, without bogging you down too much before continuing to the next topic. Will revisit & update star-rating after having read more.

[Ingo · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy reader which gives a nice overview over the field, and probably serves well to look up this or that when you are not a medicinal chemist, but have to interact with them on and off.

[Sanad Alfadhel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most beautiful clear textbook I read ever !

[Tika Pradinita]

this book is really help my scription