Gallium nitrate (brand name Ganite) is a drug that is used to treat hyper-calcemia, or too much calcium in the blood. Ganite exerts a hypocalcemic effect by inhibiting calcium resorption from bone, possibly by reducing increased bone turnover. It was shown, that gallium favorably altered the mineral properties to enhance hydroxyapatite crystallization and reduced mineral solubility. The drug also acted on the cellular components of bone to reduce bone resorption by decreasing acid secretion by osteoclasts. Nevertheless, ganite was withdrawn from sale, although the reasons was not the safety or effectiveness. Gallium nitrate inhibits the growth of various lymphoma cell lines in vitro and exhibits antitumor activity in patients with lymphoma. Gallium binds avidly to the iron transport protein transferrin. Transferrin-gallium complexes preferentially target cells that express transferrin receptors on their surface. Expression of transferrin receptors is particularly high on lymphoma cells. Cellular uptake of the gallium-transferrin complex leads to inhibition of cellular proliferation primarily via disruption of iron transport and homeostasis and blockade of ribonucleotide reductase. In phase II of clinical trials in patients with relapsed or refractory lymphoma, the antitumor activity of gallium nitrate is similar to, or better than, that of other commonly used chemotherapeutic agents.

Cefotiam is a third generation beta-lactam cephalosporin antibiotic. It has broad spectrum activity against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. It does not have activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The bactericidal activity of cefotiam results from the inhibition of cell wall synthesis via affinity for penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs).

Clofazimine (Lamprene®) is a fat-soluble riminophenazine dye used for the treatment of leprosy. It has been used investigationally in combination with other antimycobacterial drugs to treat Mycobacterium avium infections in AIDS patients. Clofazimine (Lamprene®) exerts a slow bactericidal effect on Mycobacterium leprae (Hansen’s bacillus). It inhibits mycobacterial growth and binds preferentially to mycobacterial DNA. It also exerts anti-inflammatory properties in controlling erythema nodosum leprosum reactions. However, its precise mechanisms of action are unknown.

Captan is a fungicide. It is used on a variety of agricultural and greenhouse food/feed crops, indoor non-food uses, seed treatments and ornamental plant sites. People who mixed captan products or worked in fields where captan had been applied reported eye and skin irritation. A few human volunteers reported skin irritation and allergic reactions after captan was applied to their backs. Captan was previously cited as Group B2, a probable human carcinogen by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), but was reclassified in 2004. The EPA now states: “Captan is not likely to be a human carcinogen nor pose cancer risks of concern when used in accordance with approved product labels.”

Meclocycline is a tetracycline antibiotic. It is used topically for skin infections treatment. Tetracyclines are broad-spectrum bacteriostatic agents and act by inhibiting protein synthesis by blocking the binding of aminoacyl tRNA (transfer RNA) to the mRNA (messenger RNA) ribosome complex. Meclocycline might increase sensitivity to light when it is used with Aminolevulinic acid.

Sisomicin is a new broad-spectrum aminoglycoside most closely related structurally to gentamicin C1a. In vitro and in experimental infections, sisomicin has been found to be more potent than or nearly as potent as the most active of the other available aminoglycosides. Although susceptible to many (but not all) aminoglycoside-inactivating enzymes, sisomicin is active against many microorganisms that are resistant to other aminoglycosides by nonenzymatic mechanisms. Sisomicin has been shown to interact synergistically with various beta-lactam antibiotics against enterococci, staphylocicci, Enterobacteriaceae, and nonfermentative gram-negative bacilli. The pharmacokinetics and toxicity of sisomicin in humans appear to be similar to those of gentamicin, despite earlier reports of greater acute toxicity in animals. Sisomicin binds to 30s and 50s ribosomal subunits of susceptible bacteria disrupting protein synthesis, thus rendering the bacterial cell membrane defective.

Cyclacillin is a cyclohexylamido analog of penicillanic acid. It is used for the treatment of bacterial infections caused by susceptible organisms. Cyclacillin is more resistant to beta-lactamase hydrolysis than ampicillin, is much better absorbed when given by mouth and, as a result, the levels reached in the blood and in the urine are considerably higher than those obtained with the same dose of ampicillin. The bactericidal activity of cyclacillin results from the inhibition of cell wall synthesis via affinity for penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs). Cyclacillin has been replaced by newer penicillin treatments.

Triclosan was used as a hospital scrub in the 1970s. Since then, it has expanded commercially and is now prevalent in soaps (0.10-1.00%), shampoos, deodorants, toothpastes, mouth washes, cleaning supplies and pesticides. It is part of consumer products, including kitchen utensils, toys, bedding, socks and trash bags. In healthcare, triclosan is used in surgical scrubs and hand washes. Use in surgical units is effective with a minimum contact time of approximately two minutes. More recently, showering with 2% triclosan has become a recommended regimen in surgical units for the decolonization of patients whose skin carries methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Triclosan is also used in the coatings for some surgical sutures. Triclosan has been employed as a selective agent in molecular cloning. At high concentrations, triclosan acts as a biocide with multiple cytoplasmic and membrane targets. However, at the lower concentrations seen in commercial products, triclosan appears bacteriostatic, and it targets bacteria primarily by inhibiting fatty acid synthesis. Triclosan binds to bacterial enoyl-acyl carrier protein reductase (ENR) enzyme, which is encoded by the gene FabI. This binding increases the enzyme's affinity for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+). This results in the formation of a stable, ternary complex of ENR-NAD+-triclosan, which is unable to participate in fatty acid synthesis. Fatty acids are necessary for building and reproducing cell membranes. Humans do not have an ENR enzyme and thus are not affected.

Idoxuridine is an antiviral agent use in keratitis caused by herpes simplex virus. As a prescription drug it comes as a 0.1% ophthalmic solution/drops (Herplex and Dendrid). The first studies of the compound for treatment of human herpes simplex started in early 1960s. Being a structural analog of thymidine idoxuridine inhibits viral DNA replication by substituting thymidine. The effect of idoxuridine results in the inability of the virus to reproduce and/or infect tissues. Idoxuridine also blocks viral thymidine kinase as its substrate analog.

Stanozolol is a synthetic anabolic steroid derived from dihydrotestosterone. It is indicated prophylactically to decrease the frequency and severity of attacks of angioedema. In rare cases, serious and even fatal cases of liver problems have developed during treatment with stanozolol. Anabolic steroids may increase sensitivity to anticoagulants; therefore, dosage of an anticoagulant may have to be decreased in order to maintain the prothrombin time at the desired therapeutic level.