Sincalide is a synthetically-prepared C-terminal octapeptide of naturally occurring hormone cholecystokinin. Sincalide causes gallbladder contraction and stimulates secretion of pancreatic enzymes, and this property of the drug is used in diagnostic purposes. It is discussed that the drug acts by binding and stimulating the CCK-A receptor which is expressed in the target tissues. FDA approved sincalide under the name KINEVAC.

Lorglumide (CR1409) is the first nonpeptidic, selective and potent inhibitor of the cholecystokinin-A and cholecystokinin-B receptors. Lorglumide prevented dose-dependently the emptying of the gallbladder in both experimental models; proglumide exhibited a comparable activity at much higher doses. Lorglumide was associated with significantly inhibited cell growth of human pancreatic cancer cell line Mia PaCa-2 in vitro. Lorglumide also induced G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. The change of invasion ability appeared to be mediated by MMP-2 expression, which was upregulated by CCK-8S and downregulated by lorglumide. Lorglumide had been in preclinical phase for the treatment of biliary dyskinesia, pancreatitis and cancer. However, this development was discontinued.

Devazepide (L-364718 or MK-329) is a nonpeptide antagonist for the peripheral (type-A) cholecystokinin (CCK) receptor, which has proved effective in blocking the actions of both exogenous and endogenous CCK in several species. It is an orally active antagonist of CCK-stimulated pancreaticobiliary output in man. Devazepide has been developing for the treatment of anxiety, cancer, neuropathic pain however development discontinued.

Loxiglumide is a potent, orally active, and selective CCK-A receptor antagonist which stimulates calorie intake and hunger feelings in humans. Loxiglumide inhibits pancreatic secretion of digestive enzymes, and also blocks CCK-induced gastric secretions and emptying. Intravenous administration of loxiglumide antagonized the CCK-induced reduction of gastric emptying in rats, acceleration of intestinal transport in mice, increase in ileal motility in rabbits, gallbladder contraction in guinea pigs and acceleration of gallbladder emptying in mice.

Proglumide is a drug that inhibits gastrointestinal motility and reduces gastric secretions. It acts as a cholecystokinin antagonist, which blocks both the CCKA and CCKB subtypes. It was used mainly in the treatment of stomach ulcers, although it has now been largely replaced by newer drugs for this application. An interesting side effect of proglumide is that it enhances the analgesia produced by opioid drugs, and can prevent or even reverse the development of tolerance to opioid drugs. This can make it a useful adjuvant treatment to use alongside opioid drugs in the treatment of chronic pain conditions such as cancer, where opioid analgesics may be required for long periods and development of tolerance reduces clinical efficacy of these drugs.

(R)-FK480 is enantiomer of a cholecystokin-type-A (CCK-A) receptor antagonist FK480. Binding of (R)-FK480 to CCK-A is 26 times less potent than (S)-FK480.

Lorglumide (CR1409) is the first nonpeptidic, selective and potent inhibitor of the cholecystokinin-A and cholecystokinin-B receptors. Lorglumide prevented dose-dependently the emptying of the gallbladder in both experimental models; proglumide exhibited a comparable activity at much higher doses. Lorglumide was associated with significantly inhibited cell growth of human pancreatic cancer cell line Mia PaCa-2 in vitro. Lorglumide also induced G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. The change of invasion ability appeared to be mediated by MMP-2 expression, which was upregulated by CCK-8S and downregulated by lorglumide. Lorglumide had been in preclinical phase for the treatment of biliary dyskinesia, pancreatitis and cancer. However, this development was discontinued.