Упрощенная HTML-версия
150
ous (under the skin) injection, or by intravenous (into a vein) in-
jection.
– the biological system affected. For example, there are laxatives
and antacids for the digestive system, and beta blockers and anti-
coagulants for the cardiovascular system.
Medicines are either over the counter (bought from pharmacies),
or prescription only (prescribed by a doctor), and they often have two
names – a generic name and a brand name. 'Paracetamol', for example,
is a generic name, but it is sold by different companies under different
brand names (Panadol, Calpol, Anadin, etc).
One hundred years ago fewer people died from heart disease than
they do today because fewer people lived long enough to get it. Major
killers in those days were diphtheria, chickenpox, scarlet fever, rubel-
la, gastrointestinal diseases, pneumonia, measles, tuberculosis, syphi-
lis, meningitis, and so on. There were no medicines for them. Hospi-
tals were filled with patients in the throes of fever; febrile convulsions,
sweating, and vomiting, and the few weapons against illnesses that did
exist, such as quinine, plant-based purgatives, digitalis, and mercury
were often ineffective and frequently dangerous. If you got ill, you
generally died.
Advances in chemistry and biology along with pharmaceutical in-
ventions have changed things dramatically. Medicines have turned
health care from a palliative practice, by which relief may be provided
but not a cure, into something more hopeful and scientific. They have
defeated a number of infectious diseases, made mental illness treata-
ble, and enabled old age to be active. There are now a huge number of
medicines on the market and they are grouped here according to the
condition they target. Among many others, there are now
analgesics to kill pain
antiarrhythmics to control irregular heartbeat
antibiotics to fight bacteria
anticoagulants to prevent blood clotting
antidepressants for changing mood
antihistamines to fight allergies
antihypertensives to lower blood pressure
anti-inflammatories to reduce inflammation
diuretics to rid the body of excess fluids