Question

4) What are two key reasons why medicinal chemists and pharmaceutics scientists prepare oxalate or other salts of nitrogen-containing drugs like Prozac or N-methylprozas? 5) For reasons we explored in the previous question, drug discovery scientists prepare many different salts of nitrogen-containing drugs. Name two drugs marketed as maleic acid salts and include their therapeutic use- i.e. treatment for depression.

Answer 1

4 Prozac is a synonym for fluoxetine.

Fluoxetine is a phenylpropylamine that inhibits the neuronal reuptake of serotonin, which presumably has a direct relationship on antidepressant activity. This compound has either no effect or a small effect on the neuronal reuptake of norepinephrine and dopamine. In addition, it does not bind to cholinergic, histaminergic, or α-adrenergic receptors, which is believed to be the cause of tricyclic antidepressant side effects.

The efficacy of fluoxetine in treating patients with moderate depression is comparable to the efficacy of tricyclic antidepressants. It is capable of elevating mood and removing feelings of fear and stress. It does not have a sedative effect. Fluoxetine is used in depression as well as in bulemic neuroses. Use of fluoxetine is preferred in cases when sedative, hypotensive, and anticholinergic side effects caused by other antidepressants are con-traindicative to patients.

5 chlorpheniramine maleate and phenylpropanlamine maleate

chlor-trimeton is used Chlor-Trimeton (chlorpheniramine maleate) is an antihistamine used to treat sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and runny nose caused by allergies or the common cold.

drug marked as ---------- Allergy Relief, Chlor-Trimeton, Chlorphen, Wal-finate
Drug class(es): antihistamines
Chlorpheniramine systemic is used in the treatment of:

• Allergic Reactions
• Allergic Rhinitis
• Cold Symptoms
• Urticaria