Why do acidic drugs remain unionized in acidic environement?

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In summary, acidic drugs remain unionized in acidic environments and become ionized in basic environments. Similarly, basic drugs become ionized in acidic environment and remain unionized in basic environment. This behavior is a result of acid/base equilibrium and is a fundamental concept in GenChem101. It is important to understand this concept in order to fully comprehend the behavior of acidic and basic drugs.
  • #1
tarekatpf
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Why do acidic drugs remain unionized in acidic environement, and become ionized in basic environment?

Similarly, why do basic drugs become ionized in acidic environment and remain unionized in basic environment?
 
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  • #2
This is a pretty basic question about behavior of acids and bases. Short answer: because that's exactly the way they behave. Long answer: please learn about acid/base equilibrium, this is part of GenChem101.

Actually this is a chemistry question, not medical sciences. I am moving the thread.
 
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  • #3
When I read the subject, I thought you were asking about why acidic drugs were involved in collective bargaining :smile:
 
  • #4
phinds said:
When I read the subject, I thought you were asking about why acidic drugs were involved in collective bargaining :smile:

That's how you know if someone is a Chemist or not. You ask them to pronounce unionized.

Un-ionized = Chemist
Union-ized = Not a Chemist

:smile:
 
  • #5
Borek said:
This is a pretty basic question about behavior of acids and bases. Short answer: because that's exactly the way they behave. Long answer: please learn about acid/base equilibrium, this is part of GenChem101.

Actually this is a chemistry question, not medical sciences. I am moving the thread.

Thank you very much for your suggestion and correcting the category. And sorry about my late reply as I have been sick lately.
 

1. Why do acidic drugs remain unionized in acidic environments?

Acidic drugs have a tendency to remain unionized in acidic environments due to the presence of hydrogen ions (H+) in the solution. These hydrogen ions can bind to the basic functional groups of the drug, preventing it from becoming ionized.

2. How does the acidity of the environment affect the ionization of drugs?

The acidity of the environment can significantly impact the ionization of drugs. In acidic environments, there is an abundance of hydrogen ions that can interact with basic functional groups on the drug, causing it to remain unionized. On the other hand, in basic environments, the presence of hydroxide ions (OH-) can interact with acidic functional groups and lead to ionization of the drug.

3. What is the significance of acidic drugs remaining unionized in acidic environments?

The unionized form of a drug is typically more lipid-soluble, which means it can easily cross cell membranes and reach its target site. In acidic environments, the drug remains unionized, increasing its ability to enter cells and exert its desired effect.

4. Can the ionization of drugs be manipulated by adjusting the pH of the environment?

Yes, the ionization of drugs can be manipulated by adjusting the pH of the environment. This is a commonly used technique in pharmaceutical research to optimize drug delivery and efficacy. By controlling the pH, scientists can influence the degree of ionization of a drug and its ability to enter cells.

5. Are all acidic drugs affected by the pH of the environment in the same way?

No, the ionization of drugs is dependent on their chemical structure and the functional groups present. Different acidic drugs may have different pKa values (the pH at which they are 50% ionized), and therefore, their response to changes in pH may vary. It is essential to consider the specific properties of each drug when studying its ionization behavior.

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