D.8.2+Drug+Action

Chiral carbon atoms in molecules form two optically active isomers. Because of the different stereochemistry, the two enantiomers act different in the body. Different isomers can also interact differently with disease organisms.
 * D.8.2 Discuss the importance of chirality in drug action**

In synthetic drugs, both enantiomers are created, making a racemic mixture (50% of both isomers). Currently, there is no effective way to seperate the two enantiomers from each other within a sythetic drug because the two are identical is almost every way. Therefore, many drugs may posses harmful side effects. For example, Thalidomide has two enantiomers. One alleviates morning sickness while the other causes deformities in the limbs of fetuses. Unlike when thalidomide was first released, scientsits now study the effects of both enantiomers when new drugs are synthesized.

Not all racemic mixtures may have harmful effects on the body and, in some cases, one enantiomer will provide the desired pharmacological properties while the other will have no effect on the body. For example, the amino acid DOPA's L- isomer is an intermediate in dopamine biosynthesis and is given to patients to help manage Parkinson's Disease. The D-isomer has no biological effects on the body.