Assignment Task 1: This is a hypothetical scenario. Julia visited her doctor because she was concerned by the appearance of her nail on her big toe. She was diagnosed with a common infection. She was prescribed a new drug that acts through the same mechanism of action as ketoconazole. The new drug is absorbed orally but is an inactive prodrug and is metabolised into therapeutically active metabolites by liver enzymes.
Explain the mechanism of action of the new drug and explain the concept of selective toxicity and discuss how it relates to this new drug.
Assignment Task 2: She returned to her GP after beginning her treatment complaining that the treatment was not working. In her second visit to the clinic, Julia mentioned to her GP that she was also taking a herbal supplement. The GP knew that this supplement contained chemicals that inhibit the activity of liver enzymes. Julia's GP decides to explain that the supplement is a problem and indicates that Julia should continue with the new drug but indicated she must stop taking the supplement until the infection is cleared.
Discuss your expectation regarding the plasma levels of the new drug before and after Julia began taking the supplement explaining any differences and explain the rationale behind the GP's actions.