Why are there dozens of drugs with the "left" particle in the name (levomycytin, levomekol, levocarnitine, etc.), but no "right"?

Last update: January 19, 20212 answers

answers (2)

Answer 1

January, 2021

The thing is that many organic molecules of one substance can be like our hands - right and left. They are similar, but not the same - we will not wear the right glove on the left hand. This property is called chirality, from the word "hand".

And it so happened that in our body, some molecules work like right, others - like left. All amino acids are left-handed, all sugars are right.

The same is true for drugs - some work in L-form, others in D-form - this is what the right molecules are called, from Dexter - right. And in the pharmacy, such drugs are also found, for example, dextromethorphan.

Answer 2

January, 2021

There is one more important circumstance: organic molecules, being built from carbon chains, almost always have a spiral spatial structure. In biochemistry, it is the left-handed isomers that are active. That is why there are L-carnitine, L-DOPA, etc.

Right-handed sugar isomers, for example, are used as sweeteners, because they have the same sweet taste, but do not participate in the Krebs cycle and other biochemical reactions .

Why are the rights of left-handers so diminished, for example, all books are made for right-handers, a lot of equipment and equipment is made for right-handers, because left-handers are no less than right-handers?

It hurts, then the right side of the chest, then the left (I hardly feel pain, there is nothing else, no cough, nothing). Could it be something dangerous?

Everyone talks about the dangers of cannabis and calls it a drug. Is there any benefit from moderate cannabis use? (Brain, heart, skin, etc.) There are medical grades, right?

Why is there no intellectual qualification in any country in the world for obtaining the right to vote?

Are there real "fight clubs"? Just like in the movie of the same name, with its own atmosphere and ideology.

Is it true that there are no former drug addicts?

There are no signs of ARVI, but the heaviness on the chest, is it worth worrying? There was no contact with foreigners / patients, there is an allergy to flowering

It's hard to breathe (there were such problems before), from an allergy to the flowering of hazel and alder I sneezed a little, but it passed. There is no fever, no cough, no runny nose, in general, the state of health is normal, apart from breathing problems - I cannot breathe in deeply, someti...