Other than the benzene (aromatic) ring, state the name of the functional group that is common to both aspirin and diamorphine.

Describe the different ways in which aspirin and diamorphine function when they relieve or prevent pain.

Aspirin:

Diamorphine:

Other than the prevention of pain and/or the reduction of fever, state one reason why aspirin is often prescribed or recommended to some people for daily use.

Discuss one advantage and one disadvantage of taking diamorphine rather than morphine to relieve pain.

Advantage:

Disadvantage:

ester;

Accept ethanoate/acetate.

Do not accept formula.

Aspirin:

Intercepts pain stimulus at source / blocks/interferes with production of substances/prostaglandins that cause pain/swelling/fever / OWTTE;

Diamorphine:

(temporarily) bonds to/blocks/interferes with receptor sites/synapses in the brain / prevent transmission of pain impulses (without depressing central nervous system/CNS) / OWTTE;

Award [1 max] if answer states that mild analgesic acts at source and strong analgesics act in the brain/CNS.

prevent stroke/heart attack/disease / thin blood / reduces risk of blood clots / antiinflammatory;

Advantage:

stronger pain killer / lower dose required / quicker acting;

Disadvantage:

more addictive / easier to build up tolerance and exceed lethal dose / smaller therapeutic window/index / OWTTE;

This was well answered. Most students could correctly identify the group common to both analgesics and could explain the differences in their modes of action, though the terms used often lacked precision. The reasons for regularly taking low doses of aspirin and the advantages and disadvantages of morphine and heroin, were also well known.

This was well answered. Most students could correctly identify the group common to both analgesics and could explain the differences in their modes of action, though the terms used often lacked precision. The reasons for regularly taking low doses of aspirin and the advantages and disadvantages of morphine and heroin, were also well known.

This was well answered. Most students could correctly identify the group common to both analgesics and could explain the differences in their modes of action, though the terms used often lacked precision. The reasons for regularly taking low doses of aspirin and the advantages and disadvantages of morphine and heroin, were also well known.

This was well answered. Most students could correctly identify the group common to both analgesics and could explain the differences in their modes of action, though the terms used often lacked precision. The reasons for regularly taking low doses of aspirin and the advantages and disadvantages of morphine and heroin, were also well known.