Question

The common OTC medication ibuprofen is sold as a racemic mixture although only the L-isomer is a pain reliever. What does the term "racemic mixture" mean?

A. There is an equal mixture of the D- and L-optical isomers in the drug preparation.
B. There are two active ingredients in the drug preparation.
C. The inactive optical isomer does not cause serious side effects.
D. The inactive isomer is transformed into the active isomer in the body.

Answer 1

A racemic mixture means an equal mixture of a chiral compound and its mirror image enantiomer, which makes the mixture optically inactive. In the context of ibuprofen, a popular OTC analgesic, only one enantiomer (the L-isomer) is effective as a pain reliever. The Correct Answer is Option . A.

Step-by-step explanation:

The term “racemic mixture” refers to an equal mixture of the D- and L-optical isomers (enantiomers) of a chiral compound. When it comes to ibuprofen, sold over the counter as a pain medication, it is commonly presented as a racemic mixture.

However, only the L-isomer of ibuprofen is active as a pain reliever. The presence of both enantiomers in a racemic mixture results in the mixture being optically inactive because the activities of the enantiomers cancel each other out.

OTC pain relievers like ibuprofen are known for their anti-inflammatory, analgesic (pain reliever), and antipyretic (fever reducer) properties. These medications, which also include aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), work by addressing minor pains associated with various common conditions.