Vinyl ether (divinyl ether) is a clear colorless liquid with a characteristic odor. Less dense than water. Vapors heavier than air. Toxic by inhalation. Leake and Chen in 1930 demonstrated that vinyl ether possessed anaesthetic properties, and in 1931 a purer and more stable product was prepared in the research laboratories of Merck and Co. by Ruigh and Major and was used as ananaesthetic on dogs by Knoefel, Guedel, and Leake. These investigators found that dogs were more easily anaesthetized by vinyl ether than by chloroform. They also found that the period of recovery was rapid and free from vomiting; moreover, they did not notice any significant pathological effect on the various organs.The first experiments on human beings were conducted in 1933 by Gelfan and Bell. The first extensive account of vinyl ether anaesthesia in man was published in 1934, when Goldschmidt et al. reported having used it in operations in 461 mixed cases. In all these cases vinyl ether appeared to have no undesirable effect on respiration, the circulation, the liver, or the kidneys. Vinyl ether was widely used in Europe and North America for at least 30 years, until it was replaced by halothane. Vinyl ether was marketed under the name of Vinethine in the United States, Vinesthine in the United Kingdom, and Vinydan in continental Europe. Vinyl ether outlasted many of the inhalation agents introduced in recent years, and served a very useful purpose until safer, non-flammable agents, became available in the mid1960s.

Dithranol (INN) or anthralin (USAN and former BAN) is a Hydroxyanthrone, anthracene derivative, medicine applied to the skin of people with psoriasis. It is available as creams, ointment or pastes in 0.1 to 2% strengths. The terms dithranol and anthralin are sometimes used synonymously. Anthralin cream is a topical antimitotic. It works by slowing the reproduction of skin cells, precise mechanism of anti-psoriatic action is not yet fully understood. However, numerous studies have demonstrated anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory effects of anthralin on psoriatic and normal skin. The anti-proliferative effects of anthralin appear to result from both an inhibition of DNA synthesis as well as from its strong reducing properties. Recently, anthralin’s effectiveness as an anti-psoriatic agent has also been in part attributed to its abilities to induce lipid peroxidation and reduce levels of endothelial adhesion molecules which are markedly elevated in psoriatic patients. Unlike retinoids and PUVA, anthralin does not inhibit liver microsomal enzyme activity; consequently, the likelihood of adverse drug interactions is greatly reduced when other agents are administered concomitantly with anthralin.

Pentetrazol (pentylenetetrazole, BTD-001) is a pharmaceutical agent that displays activity as a central nervous system and respiratory stimulant. It is considered a non-competitive gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) antagonist. Pentetrazol (pentylenetetrazole) has been used experimentally to study seizure phenomenon and to identify pharmaceuticals that may control seizure susceptibility. GABA is thought to play a role in promoting sleep and its function is believed to be elevated in idiopathic hypersomnia. By blocking GABA’s function, pentetrazol (pentylenetetrazole, BTD-001) is expected to reduce excessive daytime sleepiness.

Phenazopyridine hydrochloride, an azo dye first synthesized in 1914, became widely prescribed for the treatment of urinary tract infections (UTIs). With the assumption that the drug possessed antiseptic properties, phenazopyridine was recommended for UTIs caused by Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and Escherichia coli. Although in the early 1930s the medical and scientific communities rescinded the claim that phenazopyridine is bactericidal, a specific mechanism of action has not been identified subsequently. Currently, phenazopyridine is classified as a urinary analgesic that relieves burning, urgency, frequency, and pain associated with UTI, trauma, or surgery.

Hexylresorcinol is an organic compound with local anaesthetic, antiseptic and anthelmintic properties. It is available for use topically on small skin infections, or as an ingredient in throat lozenges. Hexylresorcinol may be used as a cosmetic biocide. Hexylresorcinol was introduced by Leonard as a urinary antiseptic with great possibilities. Used in alkaline solution it promised success in experiments in vitro. Boots Hexylresorcinol 2.4mg Throat Lozenges, marketed in UK, are used to relieve sore throat pain. Hexylresorcinol has being shown to be useful for the topical treatment of hyperpigmentation.

AMOBARBITAL is a barbiturate derivative with hypnotic and sedative properties. In an in vitro study in rat thalamic slices amobarbital worked by activating GABAA receptors, which decreased input resistance, depressed burst and tonic firing, especially in ventrobasal and intralaminar neurons, while at the same time increasing burst duration and mean conductance at individual chloride channels; this increased both the amplitude and decay time of inhibitory postsynaptic currents. Adverse effects are mainly a consequence of dose-related CNS depression and the risk of dependence with continued use is high.

Butethal is a sedative and a hypnotic drug indicated for the treatment of severe intractable insomnia. It acts on receptors in the brain (GABA A receptors) causing the release of the chemical GABA. This chemical inhibits certain areas of the brain resulting in sleepiness. Common side effects are: drowsiness, sedation, unsteadiness, vertigo and inco- ordination. Also, hangover effect, paradoxical excitement, confusion, memory defects and skin rashes. Interactions may occur with the following: adrenocorticoids (cortisone-like medicine), anticoagulants (blood thinners), carbamazepine, corticotropin (barbiturates may decrease the effects of these medicines), central nervous system (CNS) depressants (using these medicines with barbiturates may result in increased CNS depressant effects), divalproex sodium, valproic acid (using these medicines with barbiturates may change the amount of either medicine that you need to take), and oral contraceptives containing estrogens (barbiturates may decrease the effectiveness of these oral contraceptives, and you may need to change to a different type of birth control).

Carbromal is containing bromide mild hypnotic that has been used to mild insomnia treatment. Carbromal is one of a number of hypnotics containing bromide, which releases the bromide ion on hydrolysis in the body. It has no advantages over other hypnotics. Chronic administration can cause accumulation of bromide ions which have the same distribution as chloride ions but are not actively transported out of cells and are excreted in the urine with a half-life of 10-12 days. Bromism may result from chronic carbromal ingestion and with a plasma bromine concentration of 10-15 mM, the signs are acne, cerebral retardation, cerebellar dysfunction, hyperreflexia, extensor plantar responses, and gastro¬intestinal symptoms. The risk of bromism developing makes carbromal a more dangerous drug than most other hypnotics.

Fructose, or fruit sugar, is a simple ketonic monosaccharide found in many plants, where it is often bonded to glucose to form the disaccharide sucrose. At a commercial scale, fructose is often derived from sugar cane, sugar beets, and maize. Fructose is one of the three dietary monosaccharides, along with glucose and galactose, that are absorbed directly into the bloodstream. A growing body of research suggests that diet high in fructose may be contributing to incidences of obesity, insulin resistance, and diabetes.