Drugs may be introduced into the body by injection or taken by mouth. Giving drugs by injection avoids the drug being broken down in the digestive system. State two further advantages of giving drugs by injection.
Ultiva is a drug developed to treat ovarian cancer, and it is usually administered by injection. Study the structure of Ultiva and circle two different functional groups that could be broken down in the digestive system.
Apart from absorbing water, suggest one property that this polymer would need for use in drug delivery.
Why would this release method fail if the nanoparticles were taken by mouth?
Polymers can be made by two different kinds of chemical reaction. Name the two reaction types and write an equation to show each one.
The breakdown of polymers, such as carbohydrates and proteins in the body, is an important part of digestion. Which type of reaction is usually involved?