What is the oldest pharmaceutical drug?
The first synthetic drug, chloral hydrate, was discovered in 1869 and introduced as a sedative-hypnotic; it is still available today in some countries.
What was the first medication?
Over the next 150 years, scientists learnt more about chemistry and biology. The first modern, pharmaceutical medicine was invented in 1804 by Friedrich Sertürner, a German scientist. He extracted the main active chemical from opium in his laboratory and named it morphine, after the Greek god of sleep.
Who was the first drug company?
Merck in Germany was possibly the earliest company to move in this direction. Originating as a pharmacy founded in Darmstadt in 1668, it was in 1827 that Heinrich Emanuel Merck began the transition towards an industrial and scientific concern, by manufacturing and selling alkaloids.
What is the oldest most widely used drug on earth?
Opioids are among the world’s oldest known drugs. Use of the opium poppy for medical, recreational, and religious purposes can be traced to the 4th century B.C., when Hippocrates wrote about it for its analgesic properties, stating, “Divinum opus est sedare dolores.”
What drugs were used in the 1800s?
Opium derivatives, including morphine, became widely used pain relievers, particularly in the 1800s. Heroin, too, was first synthesized for medical use before physicians realized its potent addictive properties.
Are there any generic versions of brand name drugs?
In fact, generic drug makers manufacture many brand-name products for companies that control the brand names. Sometimes, more than one generic version of a drug is available. For example, many manufacturers sell versions of acetaminophen, a nonprescription drug commonly used to relieve pain and fever.
Which is the best selling drug in the world?
The anti-inflammatory drug Humira (adalimumab) is not only the best-selling biologic, it’s one of the best-selling drugs worldwide, regardless of class. Rituxan (rituximab) was developed by IDEC Pharmaceuticals. It’s currently co-marketed in the United States by Biogen Idec and Roche subsidiary Genentech.
What are the facts about a generic drug?
Generic Drug Facts. A generic drug is a medication created to be the same as an existing approved brand-name drug in dosage form, safety, strength, route of administration, quality, and performance characteristics.
Which is harder to remember generic or brand names?
Generic names are usually more complicated and harder to remember than brand names. Many generic names are a shorthand version of the drug’s chemical name, structure, or formula.