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Jie Jack Li
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Laughing Gas, Viagra, and Lipitor: The Human Stories behind the Drugs We Use Hardcover – 1 October 2006

by Li (Author)
4.5 out of 5 stars 25
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The stories behind drug discovery are fascinating, full of human and scientific interest. This is a book on the history of drug discovery that highlights the intellectual splendor of discoverers as well as the human frailty associated them. History is replete with examples of breakthrough medicines that have saved millions of lives. Ether as an anesthetic by Morton; penicillin as an antibiotic by Fleming; and insulin as an anti-diabetic by Banting are just a few examples. The discoverers of these medicines are doubtlessly benefactors to mankind--for instance, without penicillin, 75% of us probably would not be alive because some of our parents or grandparents would have succumbed to infections. Dr. Jack Li, a medicinal chemist who is intimately involved with drug discovery, has assembled an astounding amount of facts and information behind important drugs through extensive literature research and interviews with many inventors of the drugs including Viagra and Lipitor. There have been many myths and inaccuracies associated with those legendary drugs. The inventors perspectives afforded this book an invaluable accuracy and insight because history is not history unless it is true. The text is supplemented by many anecdotes, pictures and postage stamps. Both specialist and layman will find Laughing Gas, Viagra, and Lipitor informative and entertaining. Students in chemistry, pharmacy, and medicine, workers in healthcare and high school science teachers will find this book most useful.
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  1. ISBN-10
    0195300998
  2. ISBN-13
    978-0195300994
  3. Publisher
    Oxford University Press USA
  4. Publication date
    1 October 2006
  5. Language
    English
  6. Dimensions
    23.62 x 2.13 x 16.1 cm
  7. Print length
    330 pages
  8. See all details
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Product description

Review

"Laughing Gas, Viagra, and Lipitor:The Hunam Stories behind the Drugs We Use treats readers to the inspiring tales of discovery of dozens of drugs from digitalis to anesthetics to today's blockbuster pharmaceuticals."--C&EN News

Review

"Laughing Gas, Viagra, and Lipitor:The Hunam Stories behind the Drugs We Use treats readers to the inspiring tales of discovery of dozens of drugs from digitalis to anesthetics to today's blockbuster pharmaceuticals."--C&EN News

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Oxford University Press USA (1 October 2006)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 330 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0195300998
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0195300994
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 23.62 x 2.13 x 16.1 cm
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars 25

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Jie Jack Li

Jie Jack Li

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Koukla
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 1 June 2013
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I absolutely loved this book and if you have even the slightest interest in pharmaceuticals I would highly recommend reading it.

The book is divided into shortish chapters, each describing who discovered/designed an important drug and how. Considering the impact that these drugs have had on the world, the scientists that discovered/designed them really do seem to be unsung heroes and it's great to find a book about them.

I think it's suitable for anyone. The author includes some drug chemistry, but less science-y readers can skip those bits and still find it interesting.
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Frederick S. Goethel
5.0 out of 5 stars Better and Longer Life Through Biochemistry
Reviewed in the United States on 30 May 2007
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When I bought this book, I didn't quite know what to expect, other than the story of how some drugs are made. I didn't know if it would cover a few "blockbuster" drugs or entire classes of drugs and I didn't know if it would be written for a lay person or a scientist. Having been fascinated with drug synthesis for years, I bought the book and hoped for the best. And, the best is what I discovered.

This book, written by a biopharmacologist, could have been a nightmarish read due to the complexity of the subject matter. And, while some knowledge of chemistry and biology is needed to fully comprehend the book, it is written in a way so that most lay people will be able to understand the most important material included. Yes, some of the information will be over the head of the average reader, but I'm not sure it could have been made simpler without losing some of the very necessary information needed for the formation of these compounds.

Despite my fears, the book does cover a wide range of drugs in a wide range of classes. Each chapter is devoted to a class of drug, and the sub headings are devoted to either specific drugs, or their groupings. The chapters, in order are:

* The Cancer drugs

* Drugs to Kill Germs

* Cardiovascular Drugs: From Nitroglycerin to Lipitor

* Sex and Drugs

* Drugs of the Mind

* Diabetes Drugs

* Anesthetics

* Anti-Inflammatory Drugs

The detail in each chapter highlights and explores the various drugs within the class that made them special, noteworthy or historical to medicine. The details are often times amazing, and fun, and provide an insight into how researchers work. The processes that go into finding a drug are amazing, and it is a miracle that any of us has a drug in the medicine cabinet at all.

Who would have thought that aspirin was once a prescription drug, while heroin was available over the counter? Or that some medicinal chemists will test, literally, hundreds of thousands of compounds looking for the one that does something (anything)? These are numerous other facts can be found throughout the book, but I won't divulge more in an effort not spoil anything.

Do not be mistaken by the title; the book is serious reading and does require some knowledge of chemistry and biology to fully understand the material. It can, however, be read with a note to history if you pass over the physical equations. The author did do a fabulous job of taking arcane and difficult chemistry and turning it into material that is very readable. If you have any interest in drugs, science or research methodology, buy the book and enjoy! It is a wonderful look at what happens in the ivory towers of the pharmaceutical industry, with an additional peek into academia. The infighting between factions is just an added bonus!
23 people found this helpful
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Oenophilia
3.0 out of 5 stars バイアグラ、笑気、リピトール
Reviewed in Japan on 26 February 2011
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バイアグラの効能は治験中に偶然発見された。ペニシリンを発見したのはイギリスであるが特許使用料をアメリカに支払っていた。麻酔のエーテルや笑気を発見した人たちは不幸な最期を遂げた。さらには、日本の製薬会社三共で遠藤章氏が開発したメバロチンの話などなど、薬の発見や開発にかかわる様々なエピソードが書かれている。あまり一般的な話ではないが、薬に興味のある人には面白いであろう。抗がん剤につては The Emperor of All Maladies が詳しい。
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Referman
5.0 out of 5 stars Facinating Book
Reviewed in the United States on 9 December 2009
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Really quite informative. Perhaps the most interesting point is that most of the development of a marketable drug is in the upscaling to the manufacturing process. Some drugs never make it to market because they can not be mass produced. Also, our system may not be the best, but the slow process seems to prevent big mistakes.
4 people found this helpful
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donald clarke
4.0 out of 5 stars A must read for those planning to pursue studies in Health care
Reviewed in the United States on 7 September 2017
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This book does an excellent job of tracing the lead up to many of our modern medicines. Jack Li combines his extensive research in medicinal chemistry to trace the bqckground to modern wonder drugs. He makes the point that many so called me too drugs have turned out to be the lead to drugs useful for other ailments that were not the primarily intended target.
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