Drug Stereochemistry: A Prodigy For Pharmacology and Drug Development

Abstract

Stereochemistry has evinced the importance of many chiral drugs with respect to drug designing and development. A literature review was conducted for several chiral drugs involving pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters of their enantiomers along with their uses in certain diseased conditions. This article mainly includes the pharmacological profile review of some chiral drugs and the aspects due to which the single enantiomer is of importance as compared to the racemic mixture of the drug. This was achieved by moderating the side effects or toxic effects; or by the potentiated activity of the single enantiomer. Resolution deals with the separation of racemic compounds which shows up the credibility to obtain the desired enantiomeric properties. As isomers vary in their pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles, chiral drugs have showcased considerable importance in the drug development process. Both the enantiomers have a different pharmacological profile in the treatment of a disease, which differentiates them from drug racemates.

Keywords: R. and S. enantiomer; Stereochemistry; pharmacodynamic parameters; pharmacological profile; racemates; resolution.