An Introduction to Medicinal Chemistry is the leading text for university courses on this subject. Renowned for being a textbook loved equally by both students and lecturers, it presents complete coverage in an accessible and engaging style.

The text begins with the essential biochemistry on which an understanding of medicinal chemistry is built, introducing the structure and function of important drug targets. It then explores how drugs interact with the body and the consequences of those reactions. There is a section on general principles and strategies involved in discovering and designing new drugs, and another on useful ‘tools of the trade’. The text ends with a contemporary look at specific topics within medicinal chemistry, for example, antiviral and anticancer agents; cholinergics and anticholinesterases; and antiulcer agents.

Learning features throughout An Introduction to Medicinal Chemistry help to unlock this fascinating subject. A glossary helps to familiarise the language of medicinal chemistry. Boxes present in-depth material and explore how concepts are applied in practice. Key points summarise sections within chapters, providing a basis for revision, and questions at the end of chapters and on the accompanying Online Resource Centre allow the reader to test their understanding and develop molecular modelling skills.

• A complete course in medicinal chemistry.
• The author’s accessible and engaging writing style introduces the material in a clear yet authoritative manner.
• The review of key biological and biochemical concepts makes the book truly accessible to a broad range of students with varying backgrounds.
• Questions at the end of chapters and on the Online Resource Centre allow the reader to test their understanding of the subject, and online Molecular Modelling Exercises encourage the development of practical techniques used in drug design.
• Boxes, Case studies, and Web articles help students to relate the concepts to their pharmaceutical applications.

New to this edition

• Coverage of 99 drugs not featured in the previous edition.
• Six new boxes, covering topics such ‘Cyclodextrins as drug scavengers’, ‘The structure-based drug design of crizotinib’ and ‘Designing a non-steroidal glucocorticoid agonist’.
• A new case study on steroidal anti-inflammatory agents and over 25 new sections, providing additional depth in areas including ‘Tethers and anchors’ and ‘Short-acting b-blockers’.
• Updated online content including forty new molecular modelling exercises and sixteen new web articles.