Birth of a drug

# 2 Video activity

The video clip included in this section looks at the development of one particular drug. It examines the complex multidisciplinary process that was involved in its discovery. Before you watch the video, read through the Pre-viewing notes.

Now watch the video clips and make notes on the process involved in the development of the drug.

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Video 1: Part 1
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Video 1: Part 2
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Video 1: Part 3

Now you have watched the clips, try answering the following questions. The answers are provided within the content of Section 5.

1. What is the role of noradrenaline in controlling blood pressure?

2. Is noradrenaline an agonist or an antagonist for alpha receptors?

3. What is the difference between an alpha1 receptor and an alpha2 receptor?

4. In what ways did prazosin differ in its pharmacological effects when compared with the early alpha blockers?

5. Why was research in this area discontinued?

6. What development caused the research programme to be resumed?

7. What was the major goal in designing an improved drug?

8. What was the strategy adopted in the ensuing research programme?

9. What part of the prazosin and doxazosin molecules seemed to be essential for alpha1 selectivity; what part seemed to be associated with increased activity and effectiveness at reducing blood pressure; and what part seemed to be linked to duration of action?

OpenLearn - Birth of a drug
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