A Festival of Analgesics

    These readings tell the students a little bit about the other analgesics that compete with and complement aspirin. It is good background for the assessment activity Compare the Painkillers. For each drug in this reading a mode of action, benefits, and risks are given. Where possible, historical information has been included as well.

    Additional Resource

      Sample Case: The BHC Company Synthesis of Ibuprofen — (pdf format) — this sample chapter of the book Real World Cases in Green Chemistry, published by the American Chemical Society, explores the environmental aspects of commercial ibuprofen production. The case shows how green chemistry proved more profitable than older synthetic methods in one instance. The reading includes student questions.

    Relevant National Science Education Standards

      Unifying Concepts and Processes — In these readings the students learn how different drugs interact with the body to bring about pain relief, and the relationship between molecular structure and drug properties.

      Physical Science — Molecular structures are given for every drug discussed.

      Science and Technology — The discoveries of acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and the "superaspirins" all involved an application of an already-understood scientific principle to solving a practical problem. The readings also explain how novel molecular structures are deliberately designed to produce drugs with desired properties, such as COX-2 inhibition.

      Science in Personal and Social Perspectives — The readings deal with the health issues of pain relief, fever reduction, and safe treatment of chronic arthritis.

      History and Nature of Science — In this reading, historical perspectives on acetaminophen and ibuprofen are explored.

    Relevant New Jersey State Science Curriculum Standards

      5.2 Where possible, historical information about the drugs has been included in the readings. Furthermore, this reading includes a section on recent discoveries in the field of analgesics.
      5.4 The discoveries of acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and the "superaspirins" all involved an application of an already-understood scientific principle to solving a practical problem.
      5.6 Molecular structures are given for every drug discussed.

      Next: Salsa Analgesica

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