Didanosine was developed by Bristol-Myers Squibb in collaboration with the NIH for the treatment of HIV-1 infections. Upon administration the drug is metabolized to the active metabolite which inhibits HIV-1 reverse transcriptase both by competing with deoxyadenosine 5'-triphosphate and by its incorporation into viral DNA. Didanosine was approved by FDA under the name Videx (among the other names).

Bitolterol is a beta 2-adrenergic agonist. Since it in itself is biologically inactive, bitolterol is considered a pro-drug. When administered it is activated within the lung by esterase hydrolysis to the active compound colterol catecholamine N-t-butyl-arterenol. Bitolterol was marked under the name tornalate and was indicated to prevent and treat of reversible bronchospasm associated with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. But that drug was withdrawn from the market by Elan Pharmaceuticals in 2001.

Oxprenolol is clinically a well-established beta blocker that shares with other members of this group the ability to control a variety of disorders, in particular, hypertension and angina. Pharmacologically it is a nonselective beta blocker that possesses partial agonist activity (intrinsic sympathomimetic activity). Pharmacokinetically, oxprenolol behaves as a moderately lipophilic agent. Oxprenolol undergoes first pass metabolism with only 30% of an oral dose reaching the systemic circulation. The drug is approximately 80% protein bound and is eliminated primarily by glucuronidation in the liver. Less than 4% of oxprenolol is excreted unchanged in the urine. Oxprenolol may reduce the heart rate and prolong the effective and functional atrioventricular nodal refractory period. Oxprenolol has less negative inotropic and chronotropic effects than propranolol. Plasma renin activity is reduced; however, changes in plasma aldosterone level are not significant. Long term metabolic effects require further study. Chest pain (angina), high blood pressure (hypertension), irregular heart beats and anxiety are indications for Oxprenolol usage. To date Oxprenolol is discontinued by FDA.

Ritodrine (trade name Yutopar) is beta-2 adrenergic agonist used to stop premature labor. Ritodrine binds to beta-2 adrenergic receptors on the outer membrane of the myometrial cell, activates adenyl cyclase to increase the level of cAMP which decreases intracellular calcium and leads to a decrease of uterine contractions. In addition to stimulating the beta-2–adrenergic receptors of the uterine smooth muscle, ritodrine stimulates beta-adrenergic receptors of bronchial and vascular smooth muscles. The cardiostimulatory effects, including increased cardiac output, increased maternal and fetal heart rates, and widening of the maternal pulse pressure, are probably due to relaxation of the vascular smooth muscle. Relaxation of vascular smooth muscle stimulates the beta-1–adrenergic receptors and the reflex response to blood pressure. Also, during intravenous administration, ritodrine transiently increases maternal and fetal blood glucose and maternal plasma insulin concentrations. Other metabolic changes include increased cAMP, lactic acid, and free fatty acids, and decreased serum potassium concentration. Most side effects of β2 agonists result from their concurrent β1 activity and include the increase in heart rate, rise in systolic pressure, decrease in diastolic pressure, chest pain secondary to myocardial infarction, and arrhythmia. Beta-agonists may also cause fluid retention secondary to decrease in water clearance, which when added to the tachycardia and increased myocardial work, may result in heart failure. In addition, they increase gluconeogenesis in the liver and muscle resulting in hyperglycemia, which increases insulin requirements in diabetic patients. The passage of β agonists through the placenta does occur and may be responsible for fetal tachycardia, as well as hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia at birth.

Valine is an α-amino acid that is used in the biosynthesis of proteins. It is essential in humans, meaning the body cannot synthesize it and thus it must be obtained from the diet. There is a mixed scientivic evidence that as a dietary supplement valine improves training efficacy, delays central fatigue.

Beta-carotene is found in many foods and is sold as a dietary supplement. Beta-carotene is a carotenoid, weak antioxidant; precursor of vitamin A, which is essential for vision and growth. Used to reduce the severity of photosensitivity reactions in patients with erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP). Has been used in high-dose antioxidant supplements containing ascorbic acid and vitamin E with zinc in high-risk patients with age-related macular degeneration. Beta-carotene is also used to decrease asthma symptoms caused by exercise; to prevent certain cancers, heart disease, cataracts; and to treat AIDS, alcoholism, Alzheimer’s disease, depression, epilepsy, headache, heartburn, high blood pressure, infertility, Parkinson’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, schizophrenia, and skin disorders including psoriasis and vitiligo.

Propiolactone (or beta-propiolactone) is a disinfectant used in vapor form to sterilize vaccines, grafts, blood plasma, surgical instruments. It has been used against bacteria, fungi, and virus. Propiolactone was first commercially available in the United States in 1958 but then was withdrawn because it was discovered that compound was a human carcinogen. The results have shown the generation of tumors in several tissues and from different administration routes. Propiolactone is a direct-acting alkylating agent that reacts with polynucleotides and DNA, mainly at N7 of guanine and N1 of adenine, to form carboxyethyl derivatives.

Beta-sitosterol is one of the main dietary phytosterols found in plants which have a similar skeleton as cholesterol. In human clinical trials, beta-sitosterol has been shown to have cholesterol-lowering effects and to relieve symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia. There has been a large amount of basic research conducted for potential applications of beta-sitosterol in a diverse range of conditions including cervical cancer, breast cancer, cystic fibrosis, and others. Beta-sitosterol is available over the counter as a natural health supplement and is marketed for a wide range of applications including headaches, tuberculosis, allergies, cancers, fibromyalgia, lupus, asthma, hair loss and many others.