Dabigatran (Pradaxa, Prazaxa) is an anticoagulant medication that can be taken by mouth. FDA approved on October 19, 2010. Dabigatran directly inhibits thrombin in a concentration-dependent, reversible, specific, and competitive manner which results in a prolongation of aPTT (partial thromboplastin time), ECT (Ecarin clotting time), and TT (thrombin time). It may increase INR but this laboratory parameter is relatively insensitive to the activity of dabigatran. Dabigatran is indicated for the prevention of venous thromboembolic events in patients who have undergone elective hip or knee replacement surgery (based on RE-NOVATE, RE-MODEL, and RE-MOBILIZE trials). In 2010, it was approved in the US and Canada for prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with atrial fibrillation (approval based on the RE-LY trial). Contraindications: severe renal impairment (CrCL < 30 ml/min); haemorrhagic manifestations, bleeding diathesis or spontaneous or pharmacologic impairment of haemostasis; lesions at risk of clinically significant bleeding (e.g. extensive cerebral infarction (haemorrhagic or ischemic) in the last 6 months, active peptic ulcer disease); concomitant treatment with P-glycoprotein inhibitors (e.g. oral ketoconazole, verapamil); and those with known hypersensitivity to dabigatran, dabigatran etexilate or any ingredient used in the formulation or component of the container. As of December 2012, dabigatran is contraindicated in patients with mechanical prosthetic heart valves.

Pazopanib (VOTRIENT) is an orally bioavailable multi-targeted tyrosine kinase receptor inhibitor. Pazopanib inhibits vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR)-1, VEGFR-2, VEGFR-3, platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR)-α and -β, fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) -1 and -3, cytokine receptor (Kit), interleukin-2 receptor inducible T-cell kinase (Itk), leukocyte-specific protein tyrosine kinase (Lck), and transmembrane glycoprotein receptor tyrosine kinase (c-Fms). In an vitro study, pazopanib exerted anti-tumor effect through mechanisms including the Raf-MAPK/ERK (MEK)-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway. It has good oral exposure and inhibits angiogenesis and tumor growth in mice. Pazopanib (VOTRIENT) was developed by GlaxoSmithKline for the treatment of solid tumours and age-related macular degeneration. However, Novartis acquired all the rights to the drug from GlaxoSmithKline. Pazopanib (VOTRIENT) is indicated for the treatment of patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma and advanced soft tissue sarcoma.

Pralatrexate (PDX or 10-propargyl-10-deazaaminopterin) is a folate analogue that is internalised by the reduced folate carrier 1 (RFC-1) protein, and polyglutamylated by the enzyme folylpolyglutamyl synthetase (FPGS), resulting in accumulation of the antifolate. Pralatrexate, a methotrexate analogue, is intended as an inhibitor of dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR), an enzyme which catalyses the reduction of dihydrofolic acid to tetrahydrofolic acid. Inhibition of DHFR leads to a depletion of intracellular reduced folate stores, thereby leading to a disruption of DNA synthesis. Preclinical studies in vitro and in models of B-cell lymphomas, T-cell lymphomas and NSCLC indicated that pralatrexate exhibited antitumor activity that was superior to the activity of other antifolates. FOLOTYN (pralatrexate injection) is indicated for the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory peripheral T-cell lymphoma.

Lumefantrine is an antimalarial agent used to treat acute uncomplicated malaria. It is administered in combination with artemether for improved efficacy (Coartem tablets). Lumefantrine is a blood schizonticide active against erythrocytic stages of Plasmodium falciparum. The exact mechanism by which lumefantrine exerts its antimalarial effect is unknown. The most common adverse reactions of Coartem in adults are headache, anorexia, dizziness, asthenia, arthralgia and myalgia.

TELAVANCIN (VIBATIV®) is a lipoglycopeptide antibacterial that is a synthetic derivative of vancomycin. It exerts concentration-dependent, bactericidal activity against Gram-positive organisms in vitro. TELAVANCIN (VIBATIV®) inhibits cell wall biosynthesis by binding to late-stage peptidoglycan precursors, including lipid II. It also binds to the bacterial membrane and disrupts membrane barrier function. TELAVANCIN (VIBATIV®) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with complicated skin and skin structure infections caused by susceptible isolates of the following Gram-positive microorganisms: Staphylococcus aureus (including methicillin-susceptible and -resistant isolates), Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus anginosus group (includes S. anginosus, S. intermedius, and S. constellatus), or Enterococcus faecalis (vancomycin-susceptible isolates only). It is also indicated for the treatment of adult patients with hospital-acquired and ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia (HABP/VABP), caused by susceptible isolates of Staphylococcus aureus (both methicillin-susceptible and -resistant isolates). It should be reserved for use when alternative treatments are not suitable.

Febuxostat (ULORIC) is a novel, xanthine oxidase/dehydrogenase (XO/XDH) inhibitor being developed by Teijin, TAP Pharmaceuticals, and Ipsen for the treatment of gout. The currently available XO inhibitor, allopurinol, has been associated with serious instances of severe hypersensitivity, in some cases leading to fatalities. There is some suggestion that febuxostat is less prone to excacerbate systemic inflammatory events in animal studies. Febuxostat, a xanthine oxidase inhibitor, achieves its therapeutic effect by decreasing serum uric acid. Febuxostat is not expected to inhibit other enzymes involved in purine and pyrimidine synthesis and metabolism at therapeutic concentrations. Febuxostat is used for the treatment of hyperuricemia in patients with gout.

Asenapine is an antipsychotic drug. The mechanism of action of asenapine, as with other drugs having efficacy in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, is unknown. Asenapine exhibits high affinity for serotonin 5-HT1A, 5-HT1B, 5-HT2A, 5-HT2B, 5-HT2C, 5-HT5, 5-HT6, and 5-HT7 receptors, dopamine D2, D3, D4, and D1 receptors, α1 and α2-adrenergic receptors, and histamine H1 receptors, and moderate affinity for H2 receptors. In in vitro assays asenapine acts as an antagonist at these receptors. It has been suggested that the efficacy of asenapine in schizophrenia is mediated through a combination of antagonist activity at D2 and 5-HT2A receptors. Asenapine is approved by the FDA for the acute treatment of schizophrenia in adults and for the acute treatment of manic or mixed episodes associated with bipolar I disorder, with or without psychotic features, in adults.

Tolvaptan is a selective and competitive arginine vasopressin receptor 2 antagonist. Vasopressin acts on the V2 receptors found in the walls of the vasculature and luminal membranes of renal collecting ducts. By blocking V2 receptors in the renal collecting ducts, aquaporins do not insert themselves into the walls thus preventing water absorption. This action ultimately results in an increase in urine volume, decrease urine osmolality, and increase electrolyte-free water clearance to reduce intravascular volume and an increase serum sodium levels. Tolvaptan is especially useful for heart failure patients as they have higher serum levels of vasopressin. Tolvaptan is used to treat low blood sodium levels (hyponatremia) associated with various conditions like congestive heart failure, cirrhosis, and syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormones (SIADH). FDA approved on May 19, 2009. Tolvaptan is sold under the trade names Samsca and Jinarc.

Clevidipine is a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker. Clevidipine is marketed under the trade name Cleviprex, indicated for the reduction of blood pressure (BP) when oral therapy is not feasible or not desirable. Clevidipine is a dihydropyridine L-type calcium channel blocker. L-type calcium channels mediate the influx of calcium during depolarization in arterial smooth muscle. Experiments in anesthetized rats and dogs show that clevidipine reduces mean arterial blood pressure by decreasing systemic vascular resistance. Clevidipine does not reduce cardiac filling pressure (pre-load), confirming lack of effects on the venous capacitance vessels.

Methylnaltrexone, is a peripherally acting μ-opioid receptor antagonist that acts on the gastrointestinal tract to inhibit the opioid-induced decrease in gastric motility and transit time. It is used to treat opiate-induced constipation in adults with chronic non-cancer pain and in adults with advanced illness who are receiving palliative care.