Question
Question: Mention a drug which can both be used as an analgesic as well as an antipyretic. Name an artificial ...
Mention a drug which can both be used as an analgesic as well as an antipyretic. Name an artificial sweetening agent.
Solution
It is an acetyl derivative of salicylic acid.It is a weak acid. Chemicals that sweeten food are called artificial sweetening agents. They do not add calories to our body. They do not harm our body.
Complete step by step answer:
-The chemical substances which are used to relieve pains without causing impairment of consciousness, mental confusion, incoordination or paralysis, or some other disturbances of the nervous system are called the analgesics.
-The common non-addictive analgesics are aspirin and paracetamol.
-Aspirin is a 2-acetoxy benzoic acid. It is an anhydride derivative of salicylic acid. It inhibits the synthesis of compounds known as prostaglandins which stimulate inflammation in the tissue and cause pain. These drugs are effective in relieving skeletal pain such as that due to arthritis.
-Aspirin is a more important non-narcotic drug. It is synthesized from the salicylic acid. The structure of the aspirin is as shown below,
-Aspirin has also been very popular because it has antipyretic properties. Now, it is used in the prevention of heart attack because it has anti-blood-clotting action.
- Also, many other potential applications of aspirin presently under investigation, include pregnancy-related complications, viral inflammation in AIDS patients, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, cancer, etc. Salicylic acid is inflammatory thus it is derivative into aspirin.
-Now let us see an example of an artificial sweetening agent.
-Saccharin is one such example.
-It is used in toothpastes, candies and soft drinks.
Note: This causes stomach retching, irritation, or even stomach ache. Sometimes it can be so severe that it causes stomach bleeding. It increases the acidity of the stomach. Therefore, do not take aspirin medication on an empty stomach. It is advised to have food before the consumption of aspirin.