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In 1864, the first barbiturate (barbituric acid) was synthesized.
For about 100 years, scientists thought that peptic ulcers were caused by stress, spicy food, and alcohol. Later, researchers added stomach acid to the list of causes and began treating ulcers with antacids. Now it is known that peptic ulcers are predominantly caused by Helicobacter pylori, a spiral-shaped bacterium that normally exist in the stomach.
This year, an estimated 1.4 million Americans will have a new or recurrent heart attack.
More than 34,000 trademarked medication names and more than 10,000 generic medication names are in use in the United States.
Aspirin is the most widely used drug in the world. It has even been recognized as such by the Guinness Book of World Records.