Anti fungal Agents
Various fungi may attack human body infecting the skin or lungs or indeed other portions of body. One substance which attacks them particularly is griseofulvin but there are other substances derived from chemical such as Iso-par, Asterol, Sterisil and sodium Caprylate. Another are Triacetin and one of the most frequently used is Undecylinic Acid which is commonly called Desitin.
Antimalarial agents
Malaria is caused by an organism known as the plasmodium which occurs in various forms in the body. Quinine and various derivatives of quinine which have been developed act particularly against the malarial organisms.
Among the important derivatives are Camoquin, Aralen, Primaquine, Daraprime and Atabrine which were much used during World War II because these drugs are so powerful they are used only when prescribed by a physician and in manner prescribed. Drugs may be used to cure malaria or even taken to prevent malaria.
Antipedicular Agents
Pediculosis is caused by three varieties of lice, which are commonly called head louse boy louse and they crab louse. A number of drugs have been developed which are especially active against lice and these are called pediculocides. These drugs are applied externally and great care is taken to see that they do not get into the eyes or on the mucous membranes.
Disinfectants and antiseptics
Among the most important of all disinfectants is chlorine. An ideal disinfectant has never been discovered because such a substance would have to have the power to destroy all forms of all infections agents and still not be injurious in any way to human tissue cells or be capable of causing sensitization in human beings. Every antiseptic must, therefore, be used in relationship to its effects not only on the organisims that are to be destroyed but also on the human body. Various antiseptics and disinfectants depend principally on chlorine, mercury, silver, peroxides, carbolic acid, soaps, and similar substances.
Vermifugal Agents
The human being is susceptible to infestation with a great number of worms, such as the pinworm, the whipworm, the tapeworm, and hookworm, the filarial, and even such strange worms as the loa loa. Drugs have now been developed which can rid the body of these worms but as with the disinfectants and antiseptics, they must be used with great care because of the danger of toxic reactions.
Anticancer Drugs
Already there are available and in use under controlled conditions in hospitals a number of drugs which can destroy the cells of cancer. These are known as cytotoxic agents. Many of them are highly poisonous and therefore, they must be used only under completely controlled conditions. Among older drugs which have been used in this way are derivatives of arsenic and urethane, also nitrogen mustards and substances derived from folic acid which stop metabolism. X-ray is used to destroy cancer cells and radioactive isotopes may be used directly in contact with cancer cells. There are also hormones like estrogens and testosterone which act against the spread of cancer cells.
Autonomic Drugs
Certain drugs act particularly against pain in the nerves, against effect of stimuli coming along nerves, and in tissues of brain. One class of these drug is known as autonomic drugs since they are concerned with the effects of nerve impulses coming through autonomic nervous system. This is also known as sympathetic nervous system.
Some drugs induce responses by the body which mimic the responses which come when stimuli pass laong the nerves of sympathetic nervous system. One of autonomic drugs is amphetamine or Benzedrine. This acts to overcome depression. Its effects are opposed to those of the sedative drugs like the barbiturates. This drug has been found useful in depressing the appetite and it alleviates sleepiness and fatigue; however, it is not desirable to eliminate fatigue by destroying the sensation. The real answer to fatigue is rest. The dangers lie in elimination of warning signal of fatigue in people who are overdoing. There are also the possibilities of habit formation from continued use and finally there is possible dangerous effect on the circulation of the blood.
Other drug of similar type is Dexedrine, Paredrine, Octin and Isoprel. The number of possibilities is considerable and perhaps a score of drugs acting in a similar way will eventually become available.
Some drugs are used to constrict the membranes of the nose-as adrenalin and Privine. An appetite Ddestroyer is preludin.
Adrenergic Blocking Agents.
Drugs have been found which can block the stimuli coming through the sympathetic nervous system. These drugs act to oppose the action of adrenalin. They lower blood pressure by causing dilation of the blood vessels and they stimulate the action of the intestines. Usually they increase the heart rate.
Among the most well known of these drugs are ergotoxine, erogotamine, piperoxan, and dipenamine.
Cholinergic Agents
These drugs act to produce effects such as occur when the parasympathetic nerves are stimulated. They can slow the action of the heart, dilate blood vessels, and increase gastrointestinal motion and secretion. Most of these drugs are derived from a substance called choline.
Drugs Used for the Heart
Cardiovascular drugs are those whose action on heart and other portions of blood vessel system affect either total output of heart or distribution of blood to various branches of circulation. Some of these drugs affect rhythm and output of heart; others dilate blood vessels, and still others may act to affect hardening of the arteries.
Most important of all drugs for heart is digitalis and associated with it a variety of preparation and derivatives.
Many substances have been discovered which have a specific effect on high blood pressure. All of these are potentially toxic and can be used only when prescribed properly by the physician. One of the best known is hexamethonium, also Apresoline, mannitolhexanitrate, Inversine, Ansolysen, and Metamine.
Central Nervous System
Many drugs have their principal actions in depressing the central nervous system. These include anesthetic drugs, hypnotics, and sedatives. Here also come the anticonvulsants, the drugs used against cough, and the tranquilizing drugs.
The analgesics are used to relieve pain. For this purpose morphine is best known, but similar effects are had from milder salicylates like aaspirin and phenacetin. These mild analgesics do not produce addiction and are usually considered safe for sale without a prescription.
The more powerful drugs which have been developed must be sold only with a prescription.
Many modifications have been made of opium and its derivatives, including morphine. All of these substances must be prescribed only with the use of a license to prescribe under the Anti Narcotic Act.
Many persons have become accustomed to taking sedative drugs in order to encourage sleep. There are great numbers of barbituric acid derivatives which are used for this purpose. These are effective as sedatives and are used in insomnia, hysteria, nervousness, mental disturbances, and epilepsy. They act directly on the central nervous system.
Insomnia is of several varieties
One in which falling asleep is difficult; another in which sleep comes easily but is very quickly disturbed so that the person awakes frequently during the night or exceedingly early in the morning. Drugs should never be taken routinely for this purpose. Sleep may be promoted in a variety of ways. Perhaps it is best that sleep-producing drugs be used only when prescribed and only in the manner of use prescribed and only in the manner of use prescribed by the doctor. A very small dose of a sleep producing drug may start sleep and thereafter the person sleeps well throughout the night.
Many sleep producing drugs are followed by hangover which seriously interferes with the usual activities.
