Miglitol, an oral alpha-glucosidase inhibitor, is a desoxynojirimycin derivative that delays the digestion of ingested carbohydrates, thereby resulting in a smaller rise in blood glucose concentration following meals. As a consequence of plasma glucose reduction, miglitol reduce levels of glycosylated hemoglobin in patients with Type II (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus. Systemic nonenzymatic protein glycosylation, as reflected by levels of glycosylated hemoglobin, is a function of average blood glucose concentration over time. Because its mechanism of action is different, the effect of miglitol to enhance glycemic control is additive to that of sulfonylureas when used in combination. In addition, miglitol diminishes the insulinotropic and weight-increasing effects of sulfonylureas. Miglitol has minor inhibitory activity against lactase and consequently, at the recommended doses, would not be expected to induce lactose intolerance. In contrast to sulfonylureas, miglitol does not enhance insulin secretion. The antihyperglycemic action of miglitol results from a reversible inhibition of membrane-bound intestinal a-glucoside hydrolase enzymes. Membrane-bound intestinal a-glucosidases hydrolyze oligosaccharides and disaccharides to glucose and other monosaccharides in the brush border of the small intestine. In diabetic patients, this enzyme inhibition results in delayed glucose absorption and lowering of postprandial hyperglycemia. Miglitol is used as an adjunct to diet to improve glycemic control in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) whose hyperglycemia cannot be managed with diet alone.

Topiramate is an anticonvulsant indicated in the treatment of epilepsy and migraine. Topiramate enhances GABA-activated chloride channels. In addition, topiramate inhibits excitatory neurotransmission, through actions on kainate and AMPA receptors. There is evidence that topiramate has a specific effect on GluR5 kainate receptors. It is also an inhibitor of carbonic anhydrase, particular subtypes II and IV, but this action is weak and unlikely to be related to its anticonvulsant actions, but may account for the bad taste and the development of renal stones seen during treatment. Its possible effect as a mood stabilizer seems to occur before anticonvulsant qualities at lower dosages. Topiramate inhibits maximal electroshock and pentylenetetrazol-induced seizures as well as partial and secundarily generalized tonic-clonic seizures in the kindling model, findings predective of a broad spectrum of antiseizure activities clinically. The precise mechanism of action of topiramate is not known. However, studies have shown that topiramate blocks the action potentials elicited repetitively by a sustained depolarization of the neurons in a time-dependent manner, suggesting a state-dependent sodium channel blocking action. Topiramate also augments the activity of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyrate (GABA) at some subtypes of the GABAAreceptor (controls an integral chloride channel), indicating a possible mechanism through potentiation of the activity of GABA. Topiramate also demonstrates antagonism of the AMPA/kainate subtype of the glutamate excitatory amino acid receptor. It also inhibits carbonic anhydrase (particularly isozymes II and IV), but this action is weak and unlikely to be related to its anticonvulsant actions. Topiramate is used for the treatment and control of partial seizures and severe tonic-clonic (grand mal) seizures and also for the prevention of migraine headaches. In children it is also used for treatment of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. Topiramate is sold under the brand name Topamax. A combination product containing phentermine and topiramate extended-release called QSYMIA® is indicated for the management of obesity.

Nisoldipine is a 1,4-dihydropyridine derivative with an outstanding vascular selectivity. As a specific calcium antagonist, it shortens the action potential and causes electromechanical uncoupling in ventricular myocardium. However, this effect, resulting in a negative inotropic action, appears at 100–1000 times higher concentrations of nisoldipine in comparison with its inhibition of calcium-dependent vascular contractions. Detailed analyses of pharmacological effects revealed additional properties such as enhancement of sodium excretion, an interaction with the reninangiotensin-aldosterone system and a protective effect against acute renal ischaemia, that may contribute to its therapeutic efficacy. Nisoldipine was developed at Bayer then licensed to Zeneca and marketed in the United States as SULAR. SULAR is indicated for the treatment of hypertension. It may be used alone or in combination with other antihypertensive agents. The mechanism of the therapeutic effect of nisoldipine is complex. It involves a decrease of the total peripheral vascular resistance (reduction of afterload) and an increase in coronary blood flow. Moreover, nisoldipine obviously normalises the impaired volume homoeostasis by improving renal function and thus reduces the need for activation of the ANP system. In the advanced stages of hypertension, nisoldipine prevents deleterious calcium overload and the resulting tissue damage.

Nalmefene is the first medication approved for alcoholism with the primary goal of reducing alcohol intake in an as needed approach. Nalmefene received a marketing authorization valid throughout the European Union on February 25, 2013 and is under development in Asia. Nalmefene is an opioid system modulator with a distinct μ, δ, and κ receptor profile. In vitro studies have demonstrated that Nalmefene is a selective opioid receptor ligand with antagonist activity at the μ and δ receptors and partial agonist activity at the κ receptor. In vivo studies have demonstrated that nalmefene reduces alcohol consumption, possibly by modulating cortico-mesolimbic functions. In the US, immediate-release injectable nalmefene was approved in 1995 as an antidote for opioid overdose. It was sold under the trade name Revex. The product was discontinued by its manufacturer around 2008. Currently Nalmefene is sold under the trade name Selincro. Selincro is indicated for the reduction of alcohol consumption in adult patients with alcohol dependence who have a high drinking-risk level, without physical withdrawal symptoms and who do not require immediate detoxification.

Losartan is a selective, competitive angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AT1) antagonist. Losartant is recommended as one of several preferred agents for the initial management of hypertension. Administration of losartan reduces the risk of stroke in patients with hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy. Losartan is indicated for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy with an elevated serum creatinine and proteinuria in patients with type 2 diabetes and a history of hypertension.

Carvedilol competitively blocks β1, β2 and α1 receptors. The drug lacks sympathomimetic activity and has vasodilating properties that are exerted primarily through α1-blockade. Animal models indicate that carvedilol confers protection against myocardial necrosis, arrhythmia and cell damage caused by oxidising free radicals, and the drug has no adverse effects on plasma lipid profiles. COREG® (carvedilol) is a racemic mixture in which nonselective β-adrenoreceptor blocking activity is present in the S(-) enantiomer and α1-adrenergic blocking activity is present in both R(+) and S(-) enantiomers at equal potency. Carvedilol is the first drug of its kind to be approved for the treatment of congestive heart failure, and is now the standard of care for this devastating disease. Carvedilol is also confirmed as effective in the management of mild to moderate hypertension and ischaemic heart disease.

Bicalutamide (brand name Casodex) is an oral non-steroidal anti-androgen for prostate cancer. It is indicated for use in combination therapy with a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) analog for the treatment of Stage D2 metastatic carcinoma of the prostate. Bicalutamide competitively inhibits the action of androgens by binding to cytosol androgen receptors in the target tissue. Prostatic carcinoma is known to be androgen sensitive and responds to treatment that counteracts the effect of androgen and/or removes the source of androgen. When CASODEX is combined with luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) analog therapy, the suppression of serum testosterone induced by the LHRH analog is not affected. Bicalutamide is well-absorbed following oral administration, although the absolute bioavailability is unknown. Bicalutamide undergoes stereospecific metabolism. The S (inactive) isomer is metabolized primarily by glucuronidation. The R (active) isomer also undergoes glucuronidation but is predominantly oxidized to an inactive metabolite followed by glucuronidation. Both the parent and metabolite glucuronides are eliminated in the urine and feces. The S-enantiomer is rapidly cleared relative to the R-enantiomer, with the R-enantiomer accounting for about 99% of total steady-state plasma levels.

Cisatracurium is a cis-cis isomer of atracurium and five time as potent as atracurium. The drug is approved by FDA and marketed under the name Nimbex. It is indicated as an adjunct to general anesthesia, to facilitate tracheal intubation, and to provide skeletal muscle relaxation due to its antagonistic properties toward nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.

Levocetirizine dihydrochloride is the R enantiomer of cetirizine hydrochloride, a racemic compound with antihistaminic properties. Levocetirizine is a third-generation non-sedative antihistamine indicated for the relief of symptoms associated with seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis and uncomplicated skin manifestations of chronic idiopathic urticaria. It was developed from the second-generation antihistamine cetirizine. Levocetirizine was approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration on May 25, 2007 and is marketed under the brand XYZAL. Its principal effects are mediated via selective inhibition of H1 receptors. The antihistaminic activity of levocetirizine has been documented in a variety of animal and human models. In vitro binding studies revealed that levocetirizine has an affinity for the human H1-receptor 2-fold higher than that of cetirizine (Ki = 3 nmol/L vs. 6 nmol/L, respectively). The clinical relevance of this finding is unknown.

Sevoflurane is a general anesthetic that is FDA approved for the induction and maintenance of general anesthesia in adult and pediatric patients for inpatient and outpatient surgery. Sevoflurane induces a reduction in junctional conductance by decreasing gap junction channel opening times and increasing gap junction channel closing times. Sevoflurane also activates calcium dependent ATPase in the sarcoplasmic reticulum by increasing the fluidity of the lipid membrane. It also appears to bind the D subunit of ATP synthase and NADH dehydogenase and also binds to the GABA receptor. Common adverse reactions include cardiovascular: bradyarrhythmia, hypotension, gastrointestinal: nausea, vomiting, neurologic: somnolence, psychiatric: agitation, respiratory: cough, interrupted breathing and other: shivering.