Prosultiamine (Alinamin®), a well-known thiamine derivative, was first developed by Takeda Pharmaceutical Company in Japan in the 1950s. The drug is a homolog of allithiamine produced by thiol-type vitamin B1 and allicin. Prosultiamine is converted to vitamin B1 after absorption from the gut. The drug thus enables a long-lasting high blood concentration of vitamin B1, resulting in efficient access of vitamin B1 to nervous tissue. Prosultiamine has cured many patients with vitamin B1 deficiency resulting in beriberi neuropathy and Wernicke’s encephalopathy. Prosultiamine is also a potential treatment for HTLV, since it has been shown to reduce viral load and symptoms.

Pranlukast is an antagonist of cysteinyl leukotriene receptor-1 antagonist. It is marketed in Japan by Ono Pharmaceuticals under trademark ONON for the treatment of bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis as capsules and dry syrup for pediatric use.

Hepronicate is a nicotinic acid derivative, developed and used in Japan under the name Megrin for the treatment of peripheral circulatory disorders. The therapeutic effect of the drug is explained by its vasodilation properties.

Glyparamide is the chlorophenyl-containing oral hypoglycemic sulfonamide. Glyparamide rarely causes hepatic injury.

Vesnarinone is a new and novel inotropic drug that has unique and complex mechanisms of action. It inhibits phosphodiesterase, thereby leading to increased intracellular calcium, and also affects numerous myocardial ion channels, resulting in the prolongation of the opening time of sodium channels and the decrease in the delayed outward and inward rectifying potassium current. In vitro, it has also demonstrated significant effects on cytokine production, which may account for some of its observed clinical benefits. Hemodynamic studies in humans with congestive heart failure reveal that vesnarinone can improve ventricular function. Placebo-controlled studies in large numbers of patients with heart failure have suggested a morbidity and mortality benefit with a 60 mg daily dose. In Japan, vesnarinone was approved in June 1990 and first marketed in September 1990.

Alfaprostol is a synthetic analogue of prostaglandin F2α. Its activity is similar to that of the endogenous PFG2α, causing luteolysis. Alfaprostol is recommended for use in the cow, sow and mare.

Sultopride (trade names Barnetil, Barnotil, Topral) is an atypical antipsychotic of the benzamide chemical class used in Europe, Japan, and Hong Kong for the treatment of schizophrenia. It was launched by Sanofi-Aventis in 1976. Sultopride acts as a selective D2 and D3 receptor antagonist. It has also been shown to have clinically relevant affinity for the GHB receptor as well, a property it shares in common with amisulpride and sulpiride.

Raltitrexed belongs to a group of medicines known as antimetabolites. It is used to treat cancer of the colon and rectum. It may also be used to treat other kinds of cancer, as determined by your doctor. Raltitrexed blocks an enzyme needed by the cell to live. This interferes with the growth of cancer cells, which are eventually destroyed. Since the growth of normal body cells may also be affected by raltitrexed, other effects will also occur. Some of these may be serious and must be reported to your doctor. Other effects, like hair loss, may not be serious but may cause concern. Raltitrexed inhibits thymidylate synthase (TS) leading to DNA fragmentation and cell death. It is transported into cells via a reduced folate carrier. Inside the cell Raltitrexed is extensively polyglutamated, which enhances thymidylate synthase inhibitory power and duration. Inhibition of this enzyme results in decreased synthesis of thymidine triphosphate which is required for DNA synthesis. Raltitrexed is used for the treatment of malignant neoplasm of colon and rectum. Although raltitrexed is not approved by the US FDA, the drug was licensed in Canada and some European countries.

Oxantel is a narrow-spectrum anthelmintic effective against whipworms in dogs and cats. It is ineffective against other roundworms, flukes, tapeworms or external parasites. Oxantel acts on the nervous system of the worms as inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase. Oxantel, a cholinergic anthelmintic and fumarate reductase inhibitor, significantly inhibited biofilm formation by P. gingivalis and disrupted established biofilms at concentrations below its MIC against planktonic cells. Oxantel was more effective against P. gingivalis in biofilm than metronidazole, a commonly used antibiotic for periodontitis. When oxantel was administrated to human beings for the treatment of trichuriasis, no drug reaction or side effects were reported, and the results of hematologic, biochemical and urinary examinations didn’t reveal any significant drug-related changes.

Repirinast is an antiallergic drug developed and introduced into the market in Japan in 1987. It is a histamine release inhibitor. It has demonstrated effectiveness for treating bronchial asthma in humans.