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What one hand giveth the other taketh away: some unpredicted effects of enantiomers in psychopharmacology

  • David J. Nutt
  • , Celia L. Feetam
    • Imperial College London

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    16   Link opens in a new tab Citations (SciVal)

    Abstract

    It is well known that many medicines are a mixture of two enantiomers, or mirror-image molecules. Two enantiomers occur when a molecule has a single chiral centre and the two mirror images, called S or L (left handed) and R or D (right handed), are usually found in equal amounts in the parent (racemic) mixture. While for many compounds used in clinical practice the active moiety is found in one of the two enantiomers with the other being seen as an unnecessary and redundant component of the racemic mixture, the difference between enantiomers can mean a difference between therapeutic and adverse effects, as well as in beneficial pharmacological effect and potency.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)1137-1141
    Number of pages5
    JournalJournal of Psychopharmacology
    Volume24
    Issue number8
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Aug 2010

    UN SDGs

    This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

    1. SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
      SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

    Keywords

    • Citalopram
    • enantiomers
    • escitalopram
    • eszopiclone
    • fluoxetine
    • zopiclone

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