The possibilities of chiral drugs

Abstract

In world practice, most drugs are chiral compounds, and about 90% of the latter are synthesized as racemates, which consist of an equimolar mixture of two enantiomers. Despite the fact that they have the same chemical structure, most of the isomers of chiral drugs show noticeable differences in safety and efficacy: pharmacology, toxicology, pharmacokinetics, metabolism. The aim of our study is to analyze the literature data concerning the nomenclature, pharmacology, toxicology and mechanisms of action of currently used chiral drugs. The analysis revealed the need to develop a method of chiral separation and analysis of racemic drugs in the pharmaceutical industry. This process plays a particularly important role in the clinic, to exclude an undesirable isomer from the drug from the point of view of pharmacotherapy, as well as to select the optimal course of treatment and maximum pharmacological effect.