Some time ago, there was a kid whose science fair project was to see if he could get people to sign a petition to ban dihydrogen monoxide, claiming that it kills thousands of people each year due to accidental inhalation, is the major component of acid rain, contributes to the "greenhouse effect", could cause severe burns, contributes to the erosion of our natural landscape, accelerates corrosion of many metals, may cause electrical failures, causes decreased effectiveness of automobile brakes, and has been found in excised tumors of cancer patients.
As you may have guessed, his petition got a lot of signatures.
I’m no scientist, but I totally understand that everything is a chemical. I think many of us, just use it as a over-generalised derogatory term to mean something that is not considered good for us. I know that I’ve been guilty of it, with such things as sweeteners, and other food additives. As an example, I used to brew beer, and I know the minimum ingredients that I need to make some. Big corporate brewers tend to use additives that I wouldn’t even consider, and I’ve referred to such brews as ‘chemical’ swill before now - as that aforementioned derogatory term.
Nice to find you here Eyebee. I used to be a brewery microbiologist (yeast whisperer) and I'm also a photographer. Following your substack, I think my former employer was able to largely stay clear of chemical swill ;-) No doubt most brews on your side of the pond are more my taste anyhow. Cheers!
I am really enjoying your content! Although I have science degrees and am employed in healthcare, your articles very helpful for responding to the science averse population. What I do feel might be helpful, is a visual or theoretical explanation of units each time a "concentration situation" arises. We are trying to help a community of people who need background in basic science concepts better critically evaluate information. What they also lack is a concept of metric units in a form they can relate to. Since metric conversion has effectively failed in the US, many have little to no knowledge of how much is in a µg versus a kg or mg. I'm sure you have probably devoted a blog post to this, but a quick refresh or reference to other info could be helpful. The majority of people have no idea that a µg/ml is less than a speck in less than a teaspoon of liquid. Keep up the great work, it's a certainty that without online education like yours that we are destined to become much less intelligent as a species instead of more!
I can’t imagine stereochemistry finds it’s way into conversations when claiming medications and vaccines are harmful. It may just be a generic (racemate) versus pure product?
Not vaccines, but stereochemistry of medications is an important point. Often, the active compound is one of the enantiomers, and the other is just non-active, partially active or could be metabolized differently. Clinical studies would determine whether the medication can be delivered as a single enantiomer or as a racemic mixture. The antihistamine, Xyzal, is Levocetirizine, while Zyrtec is the racemic mixture. In this case, I don't know if there is a difference.
Continued...sorry sent too quickly terfenadine is a 'prodrug', generally completely metabolized to the active form fexofenadine in the liver... unfortunately in the process (likely enroute) it resulted in cardiotoxicity when in sufficient dosages.
Many drugs over-the-counter OTC and Rx are racemic mixtures, which the manufacturers have taken advantage of the extent market share & in some cases their patents. Often the only difference is the effective dose. Although my Phm is from the USA, I practice only in Canada, hence giving e.g. requires bouncing back-n-forth checking names that are recognized for the American readers.
Generally, the levo-form of the agent in that active moiety within the body.
Although not sterioisomers Dramamine (antinauseant/motion sickness) acts the same as Benadryl ("antihistamine") when given in comparable doses. I give this e.g. because quite often a caller may not have an "antihistamine" in the house yet they do have Dramamine. Many younger Phm's forget their pharmacology 🤗
I remember Sepracor , a company that realized the value of separating out D and L forms from a racemic mix . Sometimes ( often?) one form is much more biologically active. In addition to your point about Cetirizine and Levocetirizine , there is loratadine and desloratidine . Then there was Terfenadine , changed to Fexofenadine - this was also likely a stereochem change
It's a very important point, I just don't know if the public ever sees this aspect and if that sways their perception on if they believe if the medication is safe or not.
Some time ago, there was a kid whose science fair project was to see if he could get people to sign a petition to ban dihydrogen monoxide, claiming that it kills thousands of people each year due to accidental inhalation, is the major component of acid rain, contributes to the "greenhouse effect", could cause severe burns, contributes to the erosion of our natural landscape, accelerates corrosion of many metals, may cause electrical failures, causes decreased effectiveness of automobile brakes, and has been found in excised tumors of cancer patients.
As you may have guessed, his petition got a lot of signatures.
That’s actually pretty funny!
I am hoping the student received high marks for ingenuity.
Thank you, Dr. Love! With the concerted attack on science (or even upon critical thinking…or thinking, period), we need you now, more than ever!
I’m no scientist, but I totally understand that everything is a chemical. I think many of us, just use it as a over-generalised derogatory term to mean something that is not considered good for us. I know that I’ve been guilty of it, with such things as sweeteners, and other food additives. As an example, I used to brew beer, and I know the minimum ingredients that I need to make some. Big corporate brewers tend to use additives that I wouldn’t even consider, and I’ve referred to such brews as ‘chemical’ swill before now - as that aforementioned derogatory term.
Nice to find you here Eyebee. I used to be a brewery microbiologist (yeast whisperer) and I'm also a photographer. Following your substack, I think my former employer was able to largely stay clear of chemical swill ;-) No doubt most brews on your side of the pond are more my taste anyhow. Cheers!
I am really enjoying your content! Although I have science degrees and am employed in healthcare, your articles very helpful for responding to the science averse population. What I do feel might be helpful, is a visual or theoretical explanation of units each time a "concentration situation" arises. We are trying to help a community of people who need background in basic science concepts better critically evaluate information. What they also lack is a concept of metric units in a form they can relate to. Since metric conversion has effectively failed in the US, many have little to no knowledge of how much is in a µg versus a kg or mg. I'm sure you have probably devoted a blog post to this, but a quick refresh or reference to other info could be helpful. The majority of people have no idea that a µg/ml is less than a speck in less than a teaspoon of liquid. Keep up the great work, it's a certainty that without online education like yours that we are destined to become much less intelligent as a species instead of more!
Dr Love, any chance you go into stereochemistry? This organic chemist would nerd out on the topic.
Not in this one! But maybe in the future when we get past the basics 😉
I can’t imagine stereochemistry finds it’s way into conversations when claiming medications and vaccines are harmful. It may just be a generic (racemate) versus pure product?
Not vaccines, but stereochemistry of medications is an important point. Often, the active compound is one of the enantiomers, and the other is just non-active, partially active or could be metabolized differently. Clinical studies would determine whether the medication can be delivered as a single enantiomer or as a racemic mixture. The antihistamine, Xyzal, is Levocetirizine, while Zyrtec is the racemic mixture. In this case, I don't know if there is a difference.
Continued...sorry sent too quickly terfenadine is a 'prodrug', generally completely metabolized to the active form fexofenadine in the liver... unfortunately in the process (likely enroute) it resulted in cardiotoxicity when in sufficient dosages.
Many drugs over-the-counter OTC and Rx are racemic mixtures, which the manufacturers have taken advantage of the extent market share & in some cases their patents. Often the only difference is the effective dose. Although my Phm is from the USA, I practice only in Canada, hence giving e.g. requires bouncing back-n-forth checking names that are recognized for the American readers.
Generally, the levo-form of the agent in that active moiety within the body.
Although not sterioisomers Dramamine (antinauseant/motion sickness) acts the same as Benadryl ("antihistamine") when given in comparable doses. I give this e.g. because quite often a caller may not have an "antihistamine" in the house yet they do have Dramamine. Many younger Phm's forget their pharmacology 🤗
Fexofenadine is an antihistamine & astemisole & terfenadine withdrawn from the market due to cardiotoxicity.
I remember Sepracor , a company that realized the value of separating out D and L forms from a racemic mix . Sometimes ( often?) one form is much more biologically active. In addition to your point about Cetirizine and Levocetirizine , there is loratadine and desloratidine . Then there was Terfenadine , changed to Fexofenadine - this was also likely a stereochem change
It's a very important point, I just don't know if the public ever sees this aspect and if that sways their perception on if they believe if the medication is safe or not.