Experimental medicine is a scientific approach. Experimental medicine is all the research occurring that may lead us to new treatments, new medicines and new hope. It is carried out scientifically, safely and with human benefit as the goal.
Experimental medicine includes all the drugs, treatments and procedures that are currently being investigated but have not yet been confirmed as effective. Experimental medicine includes all the new drug compounds being discovered, researched and trialed. It also includes all the complementary or alternative treatments that are undergoing scientific research. It also includes areas of research such as genetics, where the human genome project and gene therapy are bringing new hope for a wide range of conditions.
NEW DRUG COMPOUNDS New drug compounds are being discovered and researched all the time. Pharmaceutical companies and universities are two of the main research bodies. Once a compound has been discovered and its medical abilities proposed it is tested on animals. If the results are positive the compound then moves on to clinical trials. Clinical trials are human studies. There are three phases to the human studies which each phase involving more and more people. Ultimately, if the compound passes clinical trials it is then approved for human use. This means it joins the thousands of other drugs and treatments available. For a drug to reach clinical trial stage it must already have shown promise in the animal testing. This means that the majority of drugs undergoing clinical trials will show benefits. In fact, it is estimated that 80% of clinical trial drugs are approved for use.
OLD DRUGS, NEW USES It is not uncommon for an approved drug to find itself a new use. This than leads to further clinical trials. Bupropion Hydrochloride is a good example of this. Initially, it was an anti-depressant, approved and sold under the name Wellbutrin. It then found itself a new use as a smoking cessation therapy under the name Zyban. It is now under investigation for another possible use as the female Viagra to increase female libido.
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