Mifepristone is a synthetic steroid with antiprogestational effects indicated for the medical termination of intrauterine pregnancy through 49 days' pregnancy. Doses of 1 mg/kg or greater of mifepristone have been shown to antagonize the endometrial and myometrial effects of progesterone in women. During pregnancy, the compound sensitizes the myometrium to the contraction-inducing activity of prostaglandins. Mifepristone also exhibits antiglucocorticoid and weak antiandrogenic activity. The activity of the glucocorticoid dexamethasone in rats was inhibited following doses of 10 to 25 mg/kg of mifepristone. Doses of 4.5 mg/kg or greater in human beings resulted in a compensatory elevation of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol. The anti-progestational activity of mifepristone results from competitive interaction with progesterone at progesterone-receptor sites. Based on studies with various oral doses in several animal species (mouse, rat, rabbit and monkey), the compound inhibits the activity of endogenous or exogenous progesterone. The termination of pregnancy results. In the treatment of Cushing's syndrome, Mifepristone blocks the binding of cortisol to its receptor. It does not decrease cortisol production but reduces the effects of excess cortisol, such as high blood sugar levels. Mifepristone is used for the medical termination of intrauterine pregnancy through 49 days' pregnancy. Also indicated to control hyperglycemia secondary to hypercortisolism in adult patients with endogenous Cushing's syndrome who have type 2 diabetes mellitus or glucose intolerance and are not candidates for surgery or have had unsuccessful surgery.

Doxazosin mesylate is a quinazoline compound sold by Pfizer under the brand name CARDURA. CARDURA is indicated for the treatment of both the urinary outflow obstruction and obstructive and irritative symptoms associated with BPH: obstructive symptoms (hesitation, intermittency, dribbling, weak urinary stream, incomplete emptying of the bladder) and irritative symptoms (nocturia, daytime frequency, urgency, burning). CARDURA may be used in all BPH patients whether hypertensive or normotensive. In patients with hypertension and BPH, both conditions were effectively treated with CARDURA monotherapy. CARDURA provides rapid improvement in symptoms and urinary flow rate in 66–71% of patients. CARDURA is also indicated for the treatment of hypertension. CARDURA may be used alone or in combination with diuretics, beta-adrenergic blocking agents, calcium channel blockers, or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. Doxazosin acts by inhibiting the postsynaptic alpha(1)-adrenoceptors on vascular smooth muscle. This inhibits the vasoconstrictor effect of circulating and locally released catecholamines (epinephrine and norepinephrine), resulting in peripheral vasodilation.

Cyclosporins are cyclic polypeptide macrolides that were originally derived from the soil fungus Tolypocladium inflatum. Cyclosporine (also known as cyclosporine A) was discovered by Sandoz and developed for the tretment of immune disorders. The drug was approved by FDA for such diseases as Rheumatoid Arthritis, Psoriasis (Neoral), Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (Restasis) and prevention of transplant rejections (Neoral and Sandimmune). Cyclosporine’s primary immunosuppressive mechanism of action is inhibition of T-lymphocyte function. Upon administration cyclosporine binds to cyclophilin A and thus inhibits calcineurin, leading to immune system suppression.

Propranolol is a nonselective, beta-adrenergic receptor-blocking agent possessing no other autonomic nervous system activity. At dosages greater than required for beta blockade, propranolol also exerts a quinidine-like or anesthetic-like membrane action, which affects the cardiac action potential. Among the factors that may be involved in contributing to the antihypertensive action include: (1) decreased cardiac output, (2) inhibition of renin release by the kidneys, and (3) diminution of tonic sympathetic nerve outflow from vasomotor centers in the brain. Although total peripheral resistance may increase initially, it readjusts to or below the pretreatment level with chronic use of propranolol. Effects of propranolol on plasma volume appear to be minor and somewhat variable. In angina pectoris, propranolol generally reduces the oxygen requirement of the heart at any given level of effort by blocking the catecholamine-induced increases in the heart rate, systolic blood pressure, and the velocity and extent of myocardial contraction. Propranolol may increase oxygen requirements by increasing left ventricular fiber length, end diastolic pressure, and systolic ejection period. The net physiologic effect of beta-adrenergic blockade is usually advantageous and is manifested during exercise by delayed onset of pain and increased work capacity. Propranolol exerts its antiarrhythmic effects in concentrations associated with beta-adrenergic blockade, and this appears to be its principal antiarrhythmic mechanism of action. In dosages greater than required for beta blockade, propranolol also exerts a quinidine-like or anesthetic-like membrane action, which affects the cardiac action potential. The significance of the membrane action in the treatment of arrhythmias is uncertain. The mechanism of the anti-migraine effect of propranolol has not been established. Propranolol is indicated in the management of hypertension. It may be used alone or used in combination with other antihypertensive agents, particularly a thiazide diuretic. Also is indicated to decrease angina frequency and increase exercise tolerance in patients with angina pectoris; for the prophylaxis of common migraine headache. In addition, is used to improve NYHA functional class in symptomatic patients with hypertrophic subaortic stenosis. Due to the high penetration across the blood–brain barrier, propranolol causes sleep disturbances such as insomnia and vivid dreams, and nightmares. Dreaming (rapid eye movement sleep, REM) was reduced and increased awakening.

Exisulind (tentative trade name Aptosyn) is an antineoplastic agent, which was originally developed by Cell Pathways. This drug is an inhibitor of phosphodiesterase (PDE) isozymes: PDE5 and PDE4. Inhibition of PDE5 appears to be pharmacologically relevant, which leads to increase cGMP and activate protein kinase G at doses that induce apoptosis, whereas cyclic AMP levels were not changed. Exisulind has been in phase III clinical trials for the treatment of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer and for the treatment of polyps in patients who have familial adenomatous polyposis (Colorectal Cancer and Small Intestine Cancer). In addition, this drug was in phase II/III for the treatment of Prostate Cancer, however, there studies have been discontinued.

Simeprevir is a hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS3/4A protease inhibitor approved for the treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C (genotype 1 and 4). Inhibiting NS3/4A, simeprevir blocks viral replication. In in vitro assays simeprevir was potent against HCV genotype 1a and 1b. Simeprevir must not be administered as monotherapy and should only be prescribed with both peginterferon alfa and ribavirin.

Plicamycin (INN, also known as mithramycin; trade name Mithracin) is an antineoplastic antibiotic produced by Streptomyces plicatus. Plicamycin belongs to the group of medicines known as antineoplastics. It may be used to treat certain types of cancer. It is also used to treat hypercalcemia or hypercalciuria (too much calcium in the blood or urine) that may occur with some types of cancer. Once a medicine has been approved for marketing for a certain use, experience may show that it is also useful for other medical problems. Although this use is not included in product labeling, plicamycin is used in certain patients with the following medical condition:Paget's disease of the bone. The manufacturer discontinued plicamycin in 2000. Several different structures are currently reported in different places all with the same chromomycin core, but with different stereochemistry in the glycoside chain, a 1999 study has re-investigated the compound and proposed a revised structure. Although the exact mechanism by which Mithracin (plicamycin) causes tumor inhibition is not yet known, studies have indicated that this compound forms a complex with deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and inhibits cellular ribonucleic acid (RNA) and enzymic RNA synthesis. The binding of Mithracin (plicamycin) to DNA in the presence of Mg + + (or other divalent cations) is responsible for the inhibition of DNA-dependent or DNA-directed RNA synthesis. This action presumably accounts for the biological properties of Mithracin (plicamycin). Plicamycin may also lower calcium serum levels by inhibiting the effect of parathyroid hormone upon osteoclasts or by blocking the hypercalcemic action of pharmacologic doses of vitamin D.

Chlorpropamide (DIABINESE®), is a sulfonylurea hypoglycemic agent used in the treatment of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus not responding to dietary modification. It appears to lower the blood glucose acutely by stimulating the release of insulin from the pancreas, an effect dependent upon functioning beta cells in the pancreatic islets. The mechanism by which chlorpropamide (DIABINESE®) lowers blood glucose during long-term administration has not been clearly established. Extra-pancreatic effects may play a part in the mechanism of action of oral sulfonylurea hypoglycemic drugs. While chlorpropamide is a sulfonamide derivative, it is devoid of antibacterial activity. Chlorpropamide (DIABINESE®) may also prove effective in controlling certain patients who have experienced primary or secondary failure to other sulfonylurea agent.

Sodium dehydrocholate is a hydrocholeretic and is used to study biliary excretion.

Hydrastinine is a synthetic alkaloid prepared by various processes from either hydrastine, berberine, or narcotine. It exerts a strong stimulating action on the uterus of all species studied, including human. Hydrastinine and the closely related alkaloid cotarnine have been employed as hemostatics, particularly in abnormal uterine conditions. In the non-pregnant animal, hydrastinine in doses of 10 mg. depressed both tonus and activity, even after the section of the hypogastric. In the pregnant cat, it caused the uterus to contract. A stimulant action was also noted in the non-pregnant animal if nicotine were administered prior to hydrastinine. The rabbit uterus in situ was strongly contracted. Laidlaw believed that hydrastinine acted on the uterus both directly on the smooth muscle and also through its sympathetic innervation. Repeated administration of large doses for a period of time resulted in greatly increased amplitude of contractions which persisted after removal of the drug. The drug was patented by Bayer as a haemostatic drug during the 1910s.