CRESTOR (rosuvastatin calcium) is an inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase. It has been widely launched for the treatment of patients with dyslipidaemia and has also been approved in the US and EU to slow the progression of atherosclerosis.

CRESTOR (rosuvastatin calcium) is an inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase. It has been widely launched for the treatment of patients with dyslipidaemia and has also been approved in the US and EU to slow the progression of atherosclerosis.

CRESTOR (rosuvastatin calcium) is an inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase. It has been widely launched for the treatment of patients with dyslipidaemia and has also been approved in the US and EU to slow the progression of atherosclerosis.

Pramipexole is a nonergot dopamine agonist with high relative in vitro specificity and full intrinsic activity at the D2 subfamily of dopamine receptors, binding with higher affinity to D3 than to D2 or D4 receptor subtypes. The relevance of D3 receptor binding in Parkinson's disease is unknown. The precise mechanism of action of Pramipexole as a treatment for Parkinson's disease is unknown, although it is believed to be related to its ability to stimulate dopamine receptors in the striatum. This conclusion is supported by electrophysiologic studies in animals that have demonstrated that Pramipexole influences striatal neuronal firing rates via activation of dopamine receptors in the striatum and the substantia nigra, the site of neurons that send projections to the striatum. Pramipexole is used for the treatment of signs and symptoms of idiopathic Parkinson's disease.

Pramipexole is a nonergot dopamine agonist with high relative in vitro specificity and full intrinsic activity at the D2 subfamily of dopamine receptors, binding with higher affinity to D3 than to D2 or D4 receptor subtypes. The relevance of D3 receptor binding in Parkinson's disease is unknown. The precise mechanism of action of Pramipexole as a treatment for Parkinson's disease is unknown, although it is believed to be related to its ability to stimulate dopamine receptors in the striatum. This conclusion is supported by electrophysiologic studies in animals that have demonstrated that Pramipexole influences striatal neuronal firing rates via activation of dopamine receptors in the striatum and the substantia nigra, the site of neurons that send projections to the striatum. Pramipexole is used for the treatment of signs and symptoms of idiopathic Parkinson's disease.

Riluzole, a member of the benzothiazole class, is indicated for the treatment of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Its pharmacological properties include the following, some of which may be related to its effect: 1) an inhibitory effect on glutamate release (activation of glutamate reuptake), 2) inactivation of voltage-dependent sodium channels, and 3) ability to interfere with intracellular events that follow transmitter binding at excitatory amino acid receptors. Common adverse reactions include headache, abdominal pain, back pain, vomiting, dyspepsia, diarrhea, dizziness. Riluzole-treated patients that take other hepatotoxic drugs may be at increased risk for hepatotoxicity.

Riluzole, a member of the benzothiazole class, is indicated for the treatment of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Its pharmacological properties include the following, some of which may be related to its effect: 1) an inhibitory effect on glutamate release (activation of glutamate reuptake), 2) inactivation of voltage-dependent sodium channels, and 3) ability to interfere with intracellular events that follow transmitter binding at excitatory amino acid receptors. Common adverse reactions include headache, abdominal pain, back pain, vomiting, dyspepsia, diarrhea, dizziness. Riluzole-treated patients that take other hepatotoxic drugs may be at increased risk for hepatotoxicity.

Nefazodone hydrochloride (trade name Serzone) is an antidepressant drug marketed by Bristol-Myers Squibb. Its sale was discontinued in 2003 in some countries, due to the small possibility of hepatic (liver) injury, which could lead to the need for a liver transplant, or even death. The incidence of severe liver damage is approximately 1 in 250,000 to 300,000 patient-years. On May 20, 2004, Bristol-Myers Squibb discontinued the sale of Serzone in the United States. Within the serotonergic system, nefazodone acts as an antagonist at type 2 serotonin (5-HT2) post-synaptic receptors and, like fluoxetine-type antidepressants, inhibits pre-synaptic serotonin (5-HT) reuptake. These mechanisms increase the amount of serotonin available to interact with 5-HT receptors. Within the noradrenergic system, nefazodone inhibits norepinephrine uptake minimally. Nefazodone also antagonizes alpha(1)-adrenergic receptors, producing sedation, muscle relaxation, and a variety of cardiovascular effects. Nefazodone's affinity for benzodiazepine, cholinergic, dopaminergic, histaminic, and beta or alpha(2)-adrenergic receptors is not significant.

Tacrolimus, previously known as FK506, is the active ingredient in Prograf. Tacrolimus is a macrolide immunosuppressant produced by Streptomyces tsukubaensis. It reduces peptidyl-prolyl isomerase activity by binding to the immunophilin FKBP-12 (FK506 binding protein) creating a new complex. This FKBP12-FK506 complex interacts with and inhibits calcineurin thus inhibiting both T-lymphocyte signal transduction and IL-2 transcription. Tacrolimus inhibits T-lymphocyte activation, although the exact mechanism of action is not known. Experimental evidence suggests that tacrolimus binds to an intracellular protein, FKBP-12. A complex of tacrolimus-FKBP-12, calcium, calmodulin, and calcineurin is then formed and the phosphatase activity of calcineurin inhibited. This effect may prevent the dephosphorylation and translocation of nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NF-AT), a nuclear component thought to initiate gene transcription for the formation of lymphokines (such as interleukin-2, gamma interferon). The net result is the inhibition of T-lymphocyte activation (i.e., immunosuppression). Prograf is indicated for the prophylaxis of organ rejection in patients receiving allogeneic liver transplants, kidney transplants, heart transplants. It has also been used in a topical preparation in the treatment of severe atopic dermatitis.

Venlafaxine is an arylalkanolamine serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, which is sold under several brand names; one of them is venlafaxine hydrochloride. Venlafaxine hydrochloride is a venlafaxine extended release tablets, which are indicated for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD). Efficacy of venlafaxine in MDD was shown in both short-term trials and a longer-term trial in MDD. A major depressive episode (DSM-IV) implies a prominent and relatively persistent depressed mood or the loss of interest or pleasure in nearly all activities, representing a change from previous functioning, and includes the presence of at least five of the following nine symptoms during the same two-week period. In addition, venlafaxine hydrochloride is indicated for the treatment of social anxiety (SAD), also known as social phobia. Social Anxiety Disorder (DSM-IV) is characterized by a marked and persistent fear of 1 or more social or performance situations in which others expose to unfamiliar people or to possible scrutiny the person. Exposure to the feared situation almost invariably provokes anxiety, which may approach the intensity of a panic attack. The feared situations are avoided or endured with intense anxiety or distress. The mechanism of the antidepressant action of venlafaxine in humans is believed to be associated with its potentiation of neurotransmitter activity in the CNS. Preclinical studies have shown that venlafaxine and its active metabolite, O-desmethylvenlafaxine (ODV), are potent inhibitors of neuronal serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake and weak inhibitors of dopamine reuptake.