Shaad Alam

XII A1
41
Certificate
Acknowledgements
Introduction
What are drugs?
Classification of Drugs
Drugs vs Medicine
Bibliography
 I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Almighty
for providing me with the strength, wisdom, and perseverance
to complete this project on Drugs and Medicine. His guidance
has been a constant source of inspiration, helping me navigate
the complexities of this intricate subject.

I extend my sincere appreciation to my chemistry teacher,

Mrs. VANDANA DUTTA, whose unwavering support and
invaluable guidance have been instrumental in shaping my
understanding of the topic. Her passion for teaching and
commitment to her students have been a driving force behind
my academic journey, and I am truly fortunate to have had her
as my mentor.

A special thanks to my parents, whose endless encouragement

and belief in my abilities have been my pillars of strength.
Their sacrifices and unwavering support have made this
academic endeavour possible, and I am profoundly grateful for
the love and guidance they have showered upon me.

Lastly, I am grateful for the opportunity to delve into the

fascinating world of Drugs and Medicine. This project has not
only deepened my knowledge but has also allowed me to
explore my passion for science. I am thankful for the chance to
learn, grow, and contribute to the field, and I eagerly
anticipate the continued journey of discovery in the realm of
chemistry.
This is to certify that SHAAD ALAM of class XII A1 of
DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL, DHANBAD has
successfully completed and submitted investigatory
project entitled “DRUGS AND MEDICINE” to the
CHEMISTRY DEPARTMENT as set by CBSE BOARD
2023-24.
This project is absolutely genuine and does not
indulge any kind of plagiarism.
 Drugs, the word is not new to us. Amongst
many, it creates a frightful response. So far
we have heard that drugs are the substance of
addiction and a reason for the spoiled
generation. Yes, they are addictive but all of
them are not harmful. Biologically speaking,
they target our brain and switch the mood
and physiological condition of the body,
however there are legal drugs as well as
illegal drugs, here we will discuss legal drugs
and classification of drugs.
What are drugs?
By definition, drugs are chemical substance
that affect or alter physiology when taken into
a living system. They can either be natural or
synthetic. Chemically, they are low mass
structures. They target the macromolecules
inside the body and generate a biological
response. Most of them interrupt the nervous
system for the generation of proper biological
response.
CLASSIFICATION OF DRUGS
On the basis of pharmacological effect:
How a drug or medicine affects or influences the cells of an
organism is referred to as the pharmacological effect. Drugs have
different pharmacological effects on an organism say, for
example, an analgesic reduces the pain while and anti-
inflammatory drug reduces the inflammation of the body.

On the basis of drugs action:

Different drugs act differently. Each drug has its own way of
generating response called drug action. For example, there is lots
of medicine to treat hypertension but each type of drug has
different drug action. All the hypertension medicines reduce the
blood pressure but in a different pathway.

On the basis of chemical structure:

This is common classification of drugs. Generally drugs which
have same drug action and pharmacological effect have a basic
skeletal structure and a minute variation in branching.

On the basis of molecular targets:

Drugs target the macromolecules inside the body to generate a
biological response. Such macromolecules are called targets.
Drug which have the same mechanism of action will have the
same target. This basis for classification of drugs is more helpful
during clinical trials.
 The terms "drugs" and "medicine" are often used interchangeably, but
they carry distinct meanings in the realm of healthcare. Drugs refer to
substances that have a physiological effect when introduced into the
body. Drugs can be used for various purposes, such as treating medical
conditions, alleviating symptoms, or inducing specific physiological
responses. The term "drug" is more of a general classification that
encompasses a spectrum of substances with diverse properties.

On the other hand, "medicine" specifically refers to substances or

compounds that are used to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure diseases or
medical conditions in humans or animals. Medicines undergo rigorous
testing and evaluation for safety and efficacy before they are approved
for use. Unlike the broad scope of the term "drugs," medicine is a subset
that includes pharmaceuticals designed for therapeutic purposes
Bibliography
Following books and websites were the sources of my
project:
 “The Chemistry of Drugs” by David R. Caskell
 “Medicinal Chemistry” by Erland Stevens
 www.ebnl.org
 www.who.int
 www.wikipedia.org