Introduction to Inorganic
Pharmaceutical
Chemistry
Georchelle Faith Darcey, RPh
BSPh 103: Inorganic Pharmaceutical Chemistry
(Topic 1)
What is Pharmaceutical Chemistry?
Pharmaceutical Chemistry is a branch of chemistry that deals with the
chemical, biochemical and pharmacological aspects of drugs. It includes
synthesis/isolation, identification, structural elucidation, structural modification,
Structural Activity Relationship (SAR) studies, study of the chemical
characteristics, biochemical changes after drug administration and their
pharmacological effects.
What is Inorganic Chemistry?
Inorganic chemistry is the study of all the elements and their compounds
except carbon and its compounds (which is studied under organic chemistry).
Inorganic chemistry describes the characteristics of substances such as
nonliving matter and minerals which are found in the earth except the class of
organic compounds.
Organic Chemistry Inorganic Chemistry
1. Organic chemistry is the study of 1. Inorganic chemistry is the study of all
molecules that contain carbon compounds that do NOT contain carbon
compounds compounds
2. Organic compounds have much lower 2. Inorganic compounds have much high
melting and boiling points melting and boiling points
3. Organic compounds are less soluble 3. Inorganic compounds are soluble in
in water water
4. Organic compounds are more 4. Inorganic compounds are less
inflammable (more volatile) but are inflammable Good conductors of heat
poorer conductors of heat and Electricity. and Electricity.
5. Organic compounds are derived from 5. inorganic compounds are formed due
activities of living organisms to natural processes or are made in lab.
6. Organic compounds always contain 6. Inorganic compounds contain metal
carbon and other elements
7. Carbon-Hydrogen bonds are the 7. Carbon-Hydrogen bonds are not found
characteristic of organic compounds in inorganic compounds
Importance of Inorganic Pharmaceuticals
1. For therapeutic purpose: e.g. astringents, antimicrobials
2. As pharmaceutical aids: Bentonite, Talc
3. To change the reaction of body fluid either by acidifier or alkaliser. e.g.
antacids, alkalies
4. Replacing the normal content of body fluids. e.g. sodium, potassium,
calcium
5. As reagents to carry out the reactions. e.g. catalysts (platinum, nickel),
oxidizing and reducing agents.
6. In pharmaceutical analysis: titrants such as potassium permanganate,
EDTA
Classification of Inorganic Pharmaceuticals
A. Based on their uses
B. Based on their application in therapy
Classification of Inorganic Pharmaceuticals
A. Based on their uses
B. Based on their application in therapy
Based on their uses
● Acidifiers: Drugs which are used to enhance the acidity temporarily in GIT. Example:
Dilute hydrochloric acid
● Alkalizers: Drugs which are used to induce the alkaline condition or used in acidic condition of
body.
Example: Sodium citrate
● Abrasives: Drugs which are used for the cleaning and whitening of teeth.
Example: Dibasic calcium phosphate
● Absorbents: Drugs which are used to absorb the toxins and bacteria in the GIT.
Example: Calcium carbonate
● Adsorbents: Drugs which are used in the treatment of mild dysentery or diarrhoea or other
disturbances of GIT due to their ability to adsorb gases, toxins, and bacteria.
Example: Bismuth subcarbonate, Bismuth subnitrate
Based on their uses
● Anaesthetics: Drugs which are used to produce reversible loss of sensation.
Example: Nitrous oxide
● Analgesic: Drugs which are used to relieve pain.
Example: Ibuprofen
● Antacids: These are drugs which are usually alkaline substances, used for neutralizing
excess acid in the stomach.
Example: Aluminium hydroxide gel, Calcium carbonate, Magnesium carbonate
● Anthelmintics: Compounds used for the treatment of worm infestations or schistosomiasis.
Example: Ammoniated mercury, Sodium antimony tartrate
● Antibacterial: Drugs which are used in the treatment of bacterial infections.
Example: Yellow mercuric oxide (ophthalmic)
Based on their uses
● Anticonvulsants: Drugs which are used for the treatment of epilepsy.
Example: Potassium bromide
● Anti coagulants: Drugs which are used to prevent blood clotting.
Example: Sodium citrate
● Anti-depressants: Drugs which are used in the treatment of depression.
Example: Lithium carbonate
● Antidotes: Drugs which are used in the treatment of poison.
Example: Sodium Nitrate
● Antifebriles: Drugs which are used to relieve pain or reduce fever.
Example: Ammonium acetate
Based on their uses
● Antifungal agents: Drugs which are used in the treatment of fungal infections.
Example: Zinc undecylenate (topical use), Potassium iodide
● Antihypercalcemic agents: Drugs which are used in the treatment of abnormal
calcium concentration in the body.
Example: Sodium acid phosphate
● Anti-infectives: Drugs which are used in the treatment of local infections.
Example: Potassium permanganate, Silver nitrate, Hydrogen peroxide, Boric acid
● Anti-inflammatory agents: Drugs which are used in the treatment of
inflammatory pain (Rheumatoid arthritis).
Example: Sodium aurothiomalate
Based on their uses
● Anti-irritant agents: Drugs which are used to prevent irritation or allergic reactions.
Example: Aluminium metal powder
● Antiseptics: Drugs which are used to inhibit the growth and development of micro organism
without killing.
Example: Strong iodine solution
● Antiperspirants: Drugs which are used to remove the bad odour in body.
Example: Aluminium sulphate
● Anti-protozoals: Drugs which are used in the treatment of protozoal infections or
Leishmaniasis.
Example: Sodium antimony gluconate
● Anti-pruritics (topical): Drugs which are used in the production of soothing effect in the skin.
Example: Calamine
Based on their uses
● Anti-rheumatics: Drugs which are used in the treatment of rheumatism.
Example: Sodium aurothiomalate
● Anti-thyroids: Drugs which are used in the treatment of thyrotoxicosis.
Example: Potassium perchlorate
● Anti-tumor agents: Drugs which are used in the treatment of cancer.
Example: Cisplatin (Testicular and ovarian cancer)
● Anti-schistosomal agents: Drugs which are used in the treatment of schistosomiasis.
Example: Sodium antimony tartrate
● Antioxidants: Substances that prevents or delays oxidation. Some formulations,
vegetable oils and prepared foods contain antioxidants.
Example: Sodium bisulphate, sodium metabisulphite, sodium sulphite
Based on their uses
● Astringents: These are the substances which bring about protein precipitation.
Astringent action is evidenced by contraction and wrinkling of tissue and by blanching.
Example: Calamine, Aluminium citrate.
● Bactericides: Drugs which are used to kill bacteria
Example: Potassium permanganate
● Bacteriostatics: Drugs which are used to prevent the growth of bacteria.
Example: Alum, borax (local bacteriostatic)
● Bleaching agents: Drugs which are used in the cleansing of wounds or bleaching.
Example: Hydrogen peroxide
● Buffers: Substance which prevents the change in pH upon addition of acid or base.
Example: Acetate buffer (pH – 3.9), Sodium citrate buffer
Based on their uses
● Calcium supplements: Drugs which are used as a calcium source.
Example: Calcium lactate, Calcium gluconate
● Cathartics: Drugs which are used to enhance defecation, removes
constipation and expulsion of intestinal parasites.
Example: Calomel, Magnesium sulphate
● Dentifrices: Drugs which are used in cleaning the surface of the teeth.
Example: Calcium carbonate, Magnesium peroxide
● Depilatory agents: Drugs which are used to remove hair.
Example: Barium sulphide
Based on their uses
● Diagnostic agents: Drugs which are used in diagnose the diseased
conditions of the organs.
Example: Barium sulphate
● Diaphoretics: Drugs which are used to promote sweating.
Example: Potassium citrate
● Disinfectants: Drugs which are used to kill the microbes in nonliving
things.
Example: Ammonium acetate
● Diuretics: Drugs which are used to increase the urine output.
Example: Ammonium chloride, Ammonium iodide
Based on their uses
● Dressing material: Substances which are used for the dressing of burns.
Example: Aluminum metal foil
● Dusting powders: Substance which are used to have soothing effect on
the skin.
Example: Talc, Zinc stearate, Light kaolin
Classification of Inorganic Pharmaceuticals
A. Based on their uses
B. Based on their application in therapy
Based on their application
● Tumors: A new growth of tissue in which multiplication of the cells is uncontrolled and progressive and also
called as “neoplasm”. An inorganic drugs used in this condition is cisplatin.
● Ulcers: It is an exudation of surface of an organ or tissue, which is produced by sloughing of inflammatory
necrotic tissue.
● Duodenal ulcer: Ulcers formed due to excessive secretion of hydrochloric acid with
● symptoms like steady or burning pain in upper abdomen that can be relieved by ingestion of food, antacid or
cold milk. This may be an infection caused by bacteria (H. Pylori). An inorganic drugs used in this condition
is aluminium hydroxide gel.
● Gastric or peptic ulcer: These are the areas of degeneration and necrosis of gastrointestinal mucosa
exposed to acid-peptic secretions; symptoms are vomiting, sepsis and burning pain in upper abdomen.
Inorganic drugs used in this condition are bismuth compounds, magnesium trisilicate.
● Skin or topical ulcer: An inorganic drug used in this condition is zinc oxide.
● Uremia: Excess of urea, creatinine and other nitrogenous end products of proteins and amino acid
metabolism in the blood. Drugs used in this condition are haemodialysis fluid (or) peritonical dialysis fluid.
● Urethritis: Inflammation of urethra (painful or difficult for urination). An inorganic drug used in this condition
is zinc permanganate.
● Urticaria: Urticaria or hives is the presence of transient, recurrent, pruritic wheals (raised erythematous
areas of edema) on skin and oral, laryngeal and gastrointestinal mucosa. An inorganic drug used in this
condition is calamine.
Based on their application
● Varicose veins (Varicocele): It is the dilation, elongation, tortuosity of veins of pampiniferous plexus in the
spermatic cord. Inorganic drug used in this condition is lead oleate.
● Warts: Common viral lesions of the skin caused by Human papillomavirus (HPV) a small, rough growth typically on a
human’s hand or feet. An inorganic drug used in this condition is silver nitrate.
● Wounds: Injury or damage to the skin. Inorganic drugs used in this condition are hydrogen peroxide, zinc peroxide.
● Sun burns: Allergic reactions affecting living tissue skin (rashes). Inorganic drugs used in this condition are
calamine, titanium dioxide.
● Thyroid deficiency/Hypothyroidism: It is a hypometbolic clinical state resulting from inadequate production of
thyroid hormones for prolonged periods or rarely from resistance from peripheral tissues to the effect of thyroid
hormones. Inorganic drugs used in this condition are hydroiodic acid, potassium iodide.
● Thyrotoxicosis: It is a hyper metabolic and biochemical state caused by excess production of thyroid hormones.
Inorganic drugs used in this condition are iodine solutions.
● Tonsillitis: It is caused by bacteria called staphylococci or streptococci, may be acute or chronic, characterized by
redness, enlargement and inflammation of the tonsil glands.
● Pruritis: An unpleasant cutaneous sensation that desire to stretch the skin to obtain relief. Inorganic drugs used in
this condition are calomel, ammoniated mercury.
● Psoriasis: It is a chronic inflammatory dermatitis with lesions characterized by brownish red papules and plaques
which are covered with fine, silvery, white scales. Inorganic drugs used in this condition are calomel, ammoniated
mercury.
Based on their application
● Ring worm infection: Common fungal infection of the skin. Inorganic drugs used in this condition are
sulphur, iodine solution.
● Scabies: A contagious dermatitis of humans and various wild and domestic animals caused by a mild
“sarcoptes scabiei”. An inorganic drug used in this condition is sulphur.
● Shock: A life threatening clinical syndrome of cardiovascular collapse characterized by an acute reduction
of effective circulating blood volume (hypotension) and an inadequate perfusion of cells and tissues
(hypoperfusion). Organic drug like adrenaline is used in this condition.
● Skin infection: Any infection or allergy due to pathogens. Inorganic drug used in this condition is zinc
undecylenate.
● Sore throat: Bacterial or viral infection in the throat, such as common cold. Inorganic drugs used in this
condition are iodine.
● Pharyngitis: Inflammation of the mucous of the pharynx. Inorganic drugs used in this condition are iodine
and its solutions (Aqueous iodine solution, strong iodine solution, weak iodine solution).
● Pruritis: An unpleasant cutaneous sensation that desire to stretch the skin to obtain relief. Inorganic drugs
used in this condition are calomel, ammoniated mercury.
● Psoriasis: It is a chronic inflammatory dermatitis with lesions characterized by brownish red papules and
plaques which are covered with fine, silvery, white scales. Inorganic drugs used in this condition are
calomel, ammoniated mercury.
Based on their application
● Scabies: A contagious dermatitis of humans and various wild and domestic animals caused by a mild “sarcoptes
scabiei”. An inorganic drug used in this condition is sulphur.
● Shock: A life threatening clinical syndrome of cardiovascular collapse characterized by an acute reduction of
effective circulating blood volume (hypotension) and an inadequate perfusion of cells and tissues (hypoperfusion).
Organic drug like adrenaline is used in this condition.
● Skin infection: Any infection or allergy due to pathogens. Inorganic drug used in this
● condition is zinc undecylenate.
● Sore throat: Bacterial or viral infection in the throat, such as common cold. Inorganic drugs used in this condition are
iodine.
● Pharyngitis: Inflammation of the mucous of the pharynx. Inorganic drugs used in this condition are iodine and its
solutions (Aqueous iodine solution, strong iodine solution, weak iodine solution).
● Leishmaniasis: Several different illness caused by an organism protozoan. An inorganic drug used in this condition
is sodium antimony gluconate.
● Malignant wounds: These are the result of cancerous cells infiltrating the skin and its supporting blood. Oxygen
is used in this condition.
● Manic Depression: Cyclic alteration of manic and depressive phases bipolar disorder. An inorganic drug used in this
condition is lithium carbonate.
● Muscular excitability: The ability of a muscle fiber to respond rapidly to stimulating agent. An inorganic drug used in
this condition is calcium gluconate.
Based on their application
● Osteoporosis: Reduction in the amount bone mass due to loss of bone proteins and calcium, lead into fractures after trauma.
Inorganic drugs used in this condition are all calcium compounds and fluorides.
● Peritoneal dialysis: It is a technique performed across the membrane of peritoneal cavity and is used to remove toxic
chemicals from the body. Inorganic drugs used in this condition are sodium and potassium acetate, electrolyte replenishers.
● Hypomagnesemia: It is abnormally low magnesium content of blood plasma as a result of malabsorption, dehydration,
alcoholism or renal disease with the symptoms like neuromuscular activity. An inorganic drug used in this condition is
magnesium chloride.
● Intracranial pressure: Pressure inside the skull and thus in the brain and CSF. An inorganic drug used in this condition is
hypertonic saline.
● Hyperthyroidism: Also called as Thyrotoxicosis. It is a hypermetabolic, clinical and biochemical state caused by excess
production of thyroid gland in cases of graves’ disease, a toxic adenoma and toxic multinodular goiter. An inorganic drug used in
this condition is potassium perchlorate.
● Hemodialysis: Removal of certain elements from the blood by diffusion phenomena and to retain the normal constituents in it.
Inorganic drugs used in this condition are all electrolyte replenishers.
● Hyperacidity: Excessive acid secretion in stomach. Inorganic drugs used in this condition are antacids (aluminium hydroxide
and magnesium hydroxide).
● Hypercalcemia: It is the excess of calcium in blood with the symptoms like muscle weakness, fatigue, depression, nausea,
anorexia and constipation. Inorganic drugs used in this condition are sodium phosphate, sodium sulphate.
● Hyperhidrosis: It is a disorder caused by excessive sweating. An inorganic drug used in this condition is sodium
pyrophosphate.
● Eye infections: Infection of sebaceous gland of the eye lid hordeolum. Inorganic drugs used in this condition are boric acid,
silver nitrate, borax, silver protein, yellow mercuric oxide, zinc sulphate.
Based on their application
● Gangrene (Tissue necrosis): It is a form of necrosis of tissue super added putrefaction, caused due to
ischemia. An inorganic drug used in this condition is zinc peroxide.
● Gingivitis: Inflammation of gums (Gums are red and puffy). An inorganic drug used in this condition is zinc
iodide.
● Dandruff: Dandruff is a dry scaly material desquamated from scalp. Inorganic drugs used in this condition
are selenium sulphide, antimony sulphide, cadmium sulphide.
● Dental Caries: Dental caries is a disease of teeth caused by acids produced by action of microorganisms
on carbohydrates. It is characterized by decalcification of tooth accompanied by foul mouth odour. Inorganic
drugs used in this condition are sodium fluoride, strontium and other fluorides.
● Dermatitis: Dermatitis is an inflammatory response to a variety of agents acting on skin
● from outside or within the body such as chemicals, drugs, hypersensitivity to various agents
● and haptens etc. Inorganic drug used in this condition is cadmium sulphide.
● Diarrhoea: Increased frequency or decreased consistency of bowel movement. Inorganic drugs used in this
condition are oral rehydration salts, bismuth subcarbonate, calcium carbonate, electrolyte replenishers.
● Dysentery: It means diarrhoea with abdominal cramps, tenesmus and passage of mucous in the stools. It is
of bacillary and amoebic types. Inorganic drugs used in this condition are all bismuth compounds (Bismuth
subcarbonate and Bismuth subgallate)
Based on their application
● Eclampsia: It is a serious condition related to high blood pressure caused by pregnancy leads to convulsions, coma,
before or during or shortly after child birth. An inorganic drug used in this condition is magnesium sulphate.
● Cleaning aids (surgical scrub): An Inorganic drug used in the cleaning of wounds and ulcers or affected area.
Example chlorinated soda.
● Conjunctivitis: It is characterized by inflammation of conjunctiva (Conjunctiva is a delicate membrane that lines the
eyelids and covers the exposed surface of sclera). Inorganic drug used in this condition is silver protein.
● Burns: Injuries to the tissues caused by frictions, heat, radiation, electricity or chemicals. Inorganic drugs used in this
condition are silver nitrate, oxygen, zinc peroxide.
● Acidosis: Acidosis is a pathologic condition resulting from accumulation of acid and hydrogen ions. Inorganic drugs
used in this condition are all electrolyte replenishers like sodium chloride, potassium chloride and others.
● Allergic diseases: Allergic disease is a state of hypersensitivity induced by exposure to a particular antigen
(allergen) resulting from immunologic reaction. An inorganic drug used in this condition is magnesium thiosulphate.
● Anaemia: Anaemia is defined as decreased hemoglobin concentration in blood below the lower limit of the normal
range of individual. Inorganic drugs used in this condition are, all iron compounds (Haematinics: Ferrous Sulphate,
Ferrous gluconate, Ferric ammonium citrate etc.).
● Anoxia: It is a condition characterized by an absence of oxygen supply to an organ or a tissue. Oxygen is used in
this condition.
● Arthritis: It is a chronic systemic disease manifested as inflammation of peripheral joints and hematological,
pulmonary, cardiovascular and neurological abnormalities. Inorganic drug used in this condition is sodium
aurothiomalate.
Thank you for listening!
