Chapter 17.11, Problem 3QQ

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

A widely prescribed painkiller in United States has to be chosen from the given options.

Concept Introduction:

Alkaloids are organic compounds that contain nitrogen atom in it and are extracted from plant material.  Alkaloid means “like a base”.  This says that alkaloids react with acids.  More than 5000 compounds are isolated from plants and they are physiologically active.  They all nearly contain amine as functional group in it.

Narcotic painkillers are one of the important families of alkaloids.  These are a class of drugs that are derived from resin of poppy plant.  Morphine and codeine are the two important drugs that are obtained from poppy plant.