CASE STUDY:
HOW EFFECTIVE IS YOUR PAIN RELIEF
MEDICATION?
Course and Unit:
Grade 12 University-Preparation Chemistry
Unit C: Structure and Properties of Matter
Group Members:
Nicholas Fox
Venkata Mocherla
Andrew Selvam
Instructors: Janine Extavour / Marty Zatzman
Course: HS Chemistry – OISE/UT
Due Date: Thursday, July 22, 2010
CASE STUDY:
HOW EFFECTIVE IS YOUR PAIN-RELIEF MEDICATION?
BACKGROUND
It’s a beautiful summer day – sunny, breezy, not too hot. You and your friends are tossing a
Frisbee in the park. You run to catch it and step into a hole. You feel your ankle twist and you
collapse into a heap (pile). You pick yourself up, but there is something really wrong. You cannot
put any weight on that foot – not without major agony. A few hours later, after the X-ray has
shown nothing is broken, you are sitting at home with you foot propped up with an ice bag on an
ankle that looks like it belongs to Dumbo, the elephant. Your doctor says you’ll be fine in a week
or two. He recommends rest, ice, elevation, and maybe an over-the-counter pain reliever. No
more summer fun for you for a while! Well, there’s always cable, you think...
OBJECTIVE
At some point, each and every one of us has experienced pain in some way, shape, or form.
It can come in the form of inflammation, swelling, aches and other pains and these pains can exist
in various locations from head to foot. When deciding the best method of pain relief, many turn to
over-the-counter (OTC) drugs.
Among OTC drugs usually taken for pain relief, acetylsalicylic acid, acetaminophen and
ibuprofen have proven to be the most effective. Your objective is to defend which of the following
drugs are most effective for pain relief. By doing research and weighing out advantages and
disadvantages, one may be able to come to a conclusion. Read the instruction sheet on the
following page for more information. Also, as a supplemental activity, you will research an
alternate prescription medication for pain relief.
At the end of the week of research (or the period of time assigned by your teacher), you will
spend a class period in expert groups of three; each of you having researched one of the three
drugs above in detail. Together with evidence gathered from research and personal use, you will
attempt to determine your group’s most effective drug of choice.
At the end of your group meeting, you will present your findings to your teacher. You will
report to the teacher your issue, assessment criteria, perspectives of various groups (personal,
cultural, scientific) and conclusions either at the end of the period or on the following day
determining which drug is the most effective for pain relief. A place-mat is available for you to
record some of the information your group has discussed.
INSTRUCTIONS:
There are three parts to this case study assignment which are due collectively at the end of the week
(or day designated for expert group’s discussion). They are the following:
PART A: Communication - Comprehension Questions on Article
In separate sentences or paragraphs, answer the following questions in as much detail as possible
based on the article provided - The Aspirin Effect: Pain Relief and More.
1. What does “NSAI’s” stand for? (1 mark)
2. What family of molecules do prostaglandins belong to? Provide three examples of molecular
characteristics/structural features of prostaglandins. Based on these features, are prostaglandins
considered to be polar or non-polar molecules? (5 marks)
3. Describe the steps by which prostaglandins are formed in the body. What roles are played by arachidonic
acid and cyclooxygenase? (5 marks)
4. How do NSAIs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen work to relieve symptoms such as fever, pain, and
inflammation? (3 marks)
5. Why can acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol) relieve pain and fever, but not inflammation? (1 mark)
PART B: Thinking/Inquiry - Drug Information Sheet
You will be assigned one of the three OTC pain-relief drugs: acetylsalicylic acid, acetaminophen or
ibuprofen. An example of a drug information sheet is provided and will be posted on the website.
However, you may create your own version if you so choose. The questions on the drug information sheet
must be addressed. Also include three alternate facts regarding your drug that might increase the
credibility of your assigned drug. Alternate information may include:
 Possible methods of uptake of the drug
 Precautions when taking the drug
 Special dietary instructions
 What to do in case of emergency/overdose
All information can be found on the assessment checklist. Make sure that the information you use is
properly referenced in APA format.
PART C: Applications/Making Connections – Report on Prescription Medication for Pain-Relief
Our top three drugs are not the only drugs that promise to relieve bodily pain. Sometimes when pain
becomes too much to bear, we seek the assistance of a physician who may prescribe an alternate
medication for pain relief. Choose a prescription drug/medication for pain relief, consult your teacher
regarding your choice, and write a brief report outlining important information. An assessment checklist is
provided on the following page including:
 Examples of uses for the drug
 Examples of precautions and side effects
 Drug interactions
Your report should be a maximum of two pages double spaced in a 12-type font. Again, make sure
that information you use is properly referenced in APA format.
The following are suggestions for resources that you can use while doing your research.
Drug Information Online
Chemistry, Structures and 3D Molecules
Pain Medication and Prescription Drug Information
Over-the-Counter Analgesics: Benefit vs. Risk
www.drugs.com
www.3dchem.com
www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/find-drug.html
http://clients2.picnet.net/aapa/images/stories/education_and_certifica
tion/PSC-OTC-PA.pdf
Student Name:
Due Date:
ASSESSMENT CHECK-LIST
Part B: Thinking and Inquiry – Drug Information Sheet
 Two Identified Drug Brand Names
 Proper 3-Dimensional Structure of Drug (with appropriate conformation)
 3-D Structure Labelled with Three Central Atoms (1, 2, 3)
 VSPER Table Central Atom 1
 VSPER Table Central Atom 2
 VSPER Table Central Atom 3
 Identification of Function Groups and Explanation of Structure and Function
 Determination of Polarity of the Drug Molecule
 Two Pros for Drug Use
 Three Side Effects of Drug
 Alternate Information that Supports the Effectiveness of the Drug
 Necessary In-Text Citation and Works Cited in APA Format
Part C: Application/Making Connections – Report on Prescription Medication for Pain-Relief
 Scientific Name of Pain-Relief Medication
 Alternative Names for Pain-Relief Medication
 Uses of the Drug
 Form of Drug and Drug Entry (e.g. oral tablets or solutions, intravenous solutions, etc.)
 Local Area of Action in the Body
 Examples of Precautions and Side Effects
 Two examples of Drug Interactions with other Drugs
 Report Proofread
 Necessary In-Text Citation and Works Cited in APA Format
Student Name:
Due Date:
MARKING SCALE
Part A: Communication - Comprehension Questions
/15
Question 1
0
1
Question 2
0
1
2
3
4
5
Question 3
0
1
2
3
4
5
Question 4
0
1
2
3
Question 5
0
1
Part B: Thinking and Inquiry – Drug Information Sheet
/35
Properly Identified Drug Brand Names
0
1
2
Proper 3D Structure of Drug
0
1
2
3
4
VSPER Table Central Atom 1
0
1
2
3
4
VSPER Table Central Atom 2
0
1
2
3
4
VSPER Table Central Atom 3
0
1
2
3
4
Identification of Function Groups and
0
1
2
3
4
Polarity of the Drug
0
1
2
3
Side Effects of Drug
0
1
2
3
Alternate Information
0
1
2
3
Properly Referenced
0
1
2
5
Explanation of Structure and Function
4
Part C: Application/Making Connections - Prescription Medication for Pain-Relief
Background Information Covered
0
1
2
3
4
Concise Review of Research
0
1
2
3
4
Writing Conventions – Flow, Spelling and Grammar
0
1
2
3
4
Appropriate APA Referencing
0
1
2
3
4
Comments
/16
PART B: DRUG INFORMATION SHEET (Example)
Drug Scientific Name:
Drug Brand Name(s):
(2 marks)
Using VSPER theory, predict and draw a three-dimensional structure of your drug. Use a solid line if the
bond is in the plane of the page; a dashed line, if the bond is behind the page, and the wedged line, if the
bond is out of the page. (5 marks)
Choose three central atoms from your diagram above. Label them with the appropriate number. Then,
identify the molecular geometry surrounding these three atoms by filling out the following table. (Each
correctly filled box is 0.5 marks each – 12 marks total)
Use the following example for the structure of BeH2
Central
Atom
Be
Lewis
Structure
H:Be:H
Bond
Pairs
2
Lone
Pairs
0
Total
Pairs
2
General
Formula
AX2
Electron Pair
Arrangement
Linear
Molecular
Geometry
H
Be
H
Identify at least two functional groups in your drug molecule? How might this functional group play a role in
the effectiveness of your drug? (4 marks)
Is the molecule polar? How do you know? How might the polarity of the molecule affect the uptake of the
drug? (3 marks)
List two pros for the use of this drug? (2 marks)
List three side effects of the drug? (3 marks)
Alternate Information (3 marks)