An Introduction to Drugs and their Action

This chapter seeks to give a broad overview of medicinal chemistry. It attempts to provide a framework for the topics discussed in greater depth in the succeeding chapters. In addition, it includes some topics of general interest to medicinal chemists. 

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A good general book on psychoactive drugs is Uppers, Downers, All Arounders Physical and Mental Effects of Drugs of Abuse by Darryl S. Inaba and William E. Cohen (Ashland, Oregon Cine-med, 1990). See also the pamphlet Drugs of Abuse An Introduction to Their Actions ed Potential Hazards (9th revised edition, 1990) by Samuel Irwin, distributed by the Do It Now Foundation (P.O. Box 27568, Tempe, Arizona 85285). 

The amount of trigger calcium that enters the cell depends on the availability of calcium channels (primarily the L type) and the duration of their opening. As described in Chapter 6 Introduction to Autonomic Pharmacology and Chapter 9 Adrenoceptor-Activating Other Sympathomimetic Drugs, sympathomimetics cause an increase in calcium influx through an action on these channels. Conversely, the calcium channel blockers (see Chapter 12 Vasodilators the Treatment of Angina Pectoris) reduce this influx and depress contractility. 

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