An introduction to medicinal chemistry / Graham L. Patrick.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Drugs and drug targets - an overview -- Drug targets : structure and function -- Protein structure and function -- Enzymes: structure and function -- Receptors: structure and function -- Receptors and signal transduction -- Nucleic acids: structure and function -- Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics -- Enzymes as drug targets -- Receptors as drug targets -- Nucleic acids as drug targets -- Miscellaneous drug targets -- Pharmacokinetics and related topics -- Statins -- Drug discovery, design, and development -- Drug discovery: finding a lead -- Drug design: optimizing target interactions -- Drug design: optimizing access to the target -- Getting the drug to market -- The design of ACE inhibitors -- Artemisinin and related antimalarial drugs -- The design of oxamniquine -- Tools of the trade -- Combinatorial synthesis -- Computers in medicinal chemistry -- Quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSAR) -- De novo design of a thymidylate synthase inhibitor -- Selected topics in medicinal chemistry -- Antibacterial agents -- Antiviral agents -- Anticancer agents -- Cholinergics, anticholinergics, and anticholinesterases -- Drugs acting on the adrenergic nervous system -- Opioid analgesics -- Antiulcer agents -- Steroidal anti-inflammatory agents -- Design of a novel antidepressant.

This volume provides an introduction to medicinal chemistry. It covers basic principles and background, and describes the general tactics and strategies involved in developing an effective drug.