For many people, taking some form of medication is part of everyday life, whether for mild or severe illness, acute or chronic disease, to target infection or to relieve pain.

However for most it remains a mystery as to what happens once the drug has been taken into the body: how do the drugs actually work?

Furthermore, by what processes are new drugs discovered and brought to market? An Introduction to Medicinal Chemistry, sixth edition, provides an accessible and comprehensive account of this fascinating multidisciplinary field.

Assuming little prior knowledge, the text is ideal for those studying the subject for the first time. Part one of the book introduces the principles of drug action via targets such as receptors and enzymes.

The book goes on to explore how drugs work at the molecular level (pharmacodynamics), and the processes involved in ensuring a drug meets its target (pharmacokinetics).

Further sections cover the processes by which drugs are discovered and designed, and what has to happen before a drug can be made available to the public. The book concludes with a selection of current topics in medicinal chemistry, and a discussion of various key drug groups.

The subject is brought to life throughout by engaging case studies highlighting particular drugs and the stories behind their discovery and development.

The Online Resource Centre features:

For students:

* Multiple Choice Questions to support self-directed learning

* Web articles describing recent developments in the field and further information on topics covered in the book

* Journal Club to encourage students to critically analyse the research literature

* Molecular Modelling Exercises, with new exercises in Chem3D

* New assignments to help students develop data analysis and problem solving skills

For registered adopters of the book:

* A test bank of additional multiple-choice questions, with links to relevant sections in the book

* Answers to end-of-chapter questio