INTRODUCTION TO PHARMACOLOGY

1. HISTORY
• Early drug – plants, animals & minerals
• 2700 BB – earliest recorded drug use found in Middle East & China
• 1550 BC – Egyptians created Ebers Medical Papyrus
Castor oil – laxative
Opium – pain
Moldy bread – wounds & bruises
• Galen (131-201 AD) Roman physician; initiated common use of prescriptions
• 1240 AD – introduction of apothecary system (Arab doctors)
1st set of drug standards & measurements (grains, drams, minims), currently being phased out
• 15th century – apothecary shops owned by barber, surgeons, physicians, independent merchants
• 18th century – small pox vaccine (by Jenner)
Digitalis from foxglove plant for strengthening & slowing of heartbeat Vitamin C from fruits
• 19th century – morphine & codeine extract from opium
Introduction of atropine & iodine
Amyl nitrite used to relieve anginal pain
Discovery of anesthetics (ether, nitrous oxide)
• Early 20th century – aspirin from salicylic acid
Introduction of Phenobarbital, insulin, sulforamides
• Mid 20th century
1940 – Discovery antibiotics (penicilline, tetracycline, streptomycin), antihistamines, cortisone
1950 – discovery antipsychotic drug, antihypertensives, oral contraceptives, polio vaccine