Lithium is an alkali metal widely used in industry. Lithium salts are indicated in the treatment of manic episodes of Bipolar Disorder. The use of lithium in psychiatry goes back to the mid-19th century. Early work, however, was soon forgotten, and John Cade is credited with reintroducing lithium to psychiatry for mania in 1949. Mogens Schou undertook a randomly controlled trial for mania in 1954, and in the course of that study became curious about lithium as a prophylactic for depressive illness. In 1970, the United States became the 50th country to admit lithium to the marketplace. The specific mechanisms by which lithium exerts its mood-stabilizing effects are not well understood. Lithium appears to preserve or increase the volume of brain structures involved in emotional regulation such as the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus and amygdala, possibly reflecting its neuroprotective effects. At a neuronal level, lithium reduces excitatory (dopamine and glutamate) but increases inhibitory (GABA) neurotransmission; however, these broad effects are underpinned by complex neurotransmitter systems that strive to achieve homeostasis by way of compensatory changes. For example, at an intracellular and molecular level, lithium targets second-messenger systems that further modulate neurotransmission. For instance, the effects of lithium on the adenyl cyclase and phospho-inositide pathways, as well as protein kinase C, may serve to dampen excessive excitatory neurotransmission. In addition to these many putative mechanisms, it has also been proposed that the neuroprotective effects of lithium are key to its therapeutic actions. In this regard, lithium has been shown to reduce the oxidative stress that occurs with multiple episodes of mania and depression. Further, it increases protective proteins such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor and B-cell lymphoma 2, and reduces apoptotic processes through inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase 3 and autophagy.

Pyrithione zinc is an antibacterial and antifungal agent developed by scientists in the 1930's. Since then it has been used to treat seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp and other skin conditions such as eczema, athlete's foot, and vitiligo, as well as psoriasis. Because of its antifungal properties, it is commonly found in dandruff shampoo. Products containing pyrithione zinc are available today with and without prescription, and it is the main ingredient in many over-the-counter creams, lotions, soaps, and shampoos. It also has antibacterial properties and is effective against many pathogens from the Streptococcus and Staphylococcus genera. Pyrithione zinc`s other medical applications include treatments of psoriasis, eczema, ringworm, fungus, athletes foot, dry skin, atopic dermatitis, tinea, and vitiligo. Its antifungal effect is thought to derive from its ability to disrupt membrane transport by blocking the proton pump that energizes the transport mechanism.

Discovered as natural products from actinomycetes soil bacteria, the tetracyclines were first reported in the scientific literature in 1948. They were noted for their broad spectrum antibacterial activity and were commercialized with clinical success beginning in the late 1940s to the early 1950s. By catalytic hydrogenation of Aureomycin, using palladium metal and hydrogen, the C7 deschloro derivative was synthesized, producing a compound of higher potency, a better solubility profile, and favorable pharmacological activity; it was subsequently named tetracycline. Tetracyclines are primarily bacteriostatic and exert their antimicrobial effect by the inhibition of protein synthesis by binding to the 30S ribosomal subunit. Tetracycline is active against a broad range of gram-negative and gram-positive organisms. Tetracycline is indicated in the treatment of infections caused by susceptible strains. To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of tetracycline hydrochloride and other antibacterial drugs, tetracycline hydrochloride should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by bacteria.

Oxytetracycline, a tetracycline analog isolated from the actinomycete streptomyces rimosus, was the second of the broad-spectrum tetracycline group of antibiotics to be discovered The drug is used for the prophylaxis and local treatment of superficial ocular infections due to oxytetracycline- and polymyxin-sensitive organisms for animal use only. These infections include the following: Ocular infections due to streptococci, rickettsiae E. coli, and A. aerogenes (such as conjunctivitis, keratitis, pinkeye, corneal ulcer, and blepharitis in dogs); ocular infections due to secondary bacterial complications associated with distemper in dogs; and ocular infections due to bacterial inflammatory conditions which may occur secondary to other diseases in dogs. Allergic reactions may occasionally occur. Treatment should be discontinued if reactions are severe. If new infections due to nonsensitive bacteria or fungi appear during therapy, appropriate measures should be taken. Oxytetracycline inhibits cell growth by inhibiting translation. It binds to the 30S ribosomal subunit and prevents the amino-acyl tRNA from binding to the A site of the ribosome. The binding is reversible in nature. Oxytetracycline is lipophilic and can easily pass through the cell membrane or passively diffuses through porin channels in the bacterial membrane.

Bacitracin is a polypeptide antibiotic produced by Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis. Bacitracin in combination with neomycin and polymyxin B is indicated for the treatment of many bacterial diseases. The antibacterial properties of bacitracin are mediated by its binding to C55-isoprenyl pyrophosphate, resulting in inhibition of cell wall biosynthesis.

Calcium lactate is the salt that consists of two lactate anions for each calcium cation (Ca2+); this salt is used as a calcium supplement to treat hypocalcemia. However, as a source of free calcium, this salt is less convenient than calcium citrate. Calcium lactate inhalation powder also called as PUR118 participated in phase I clinical trials to determine whether this formulation was safe and tolerable in a population of subjects with Cystic Fibrosis (CF). PUR118 also was used in another clinical trials to evaluate its effect on ozone-induced airway Inflammation in healthy normal volunteers in case of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). The obtained results revealed that PUR118 reduced the severity of acute exacerbations in COPD and CF and had the beneficial impacts on mortality, morbidity, and quality of life in affected individuals. However, both studies were discontinued.

Mercury(I) iodide is a chemical compound that has been used as a drug in the 19th century, sometimes under the contemporary name of 'protiodide of mercury'. Mercury(I) iodide was used to treat a wide range of conditions; everything from acne to kidney disease and in particular was the treatment of choice for syphilis. It was available over the counter at any drugstore in the world, the most common form being a concoction of protiodide, licorice, glycerin, and marshmallow. Taken orally, and in low doses, protiodide causes excessive salivation, fetid breath, spongy and bleeding gums, and sore teeth. Excessive use or an overdose causes physical weakness, loss of teeth, hemolysing (destruction of the red blood cells) of the blood and necrosis of the bones and tissues of the body. Early signs of an overdose or excessive use are muscular tremors, chorea, and locomotor ataxia. Violent bloody vomiting and voiding also occur.

Algeldrate (Aluminium hydroxide) is the amphoteric inorganic compound used as an antacid in the treatment of Duodenal, Peptic and Stomach Ulcer and some other conditions. Aluminium hydroxide is preferred over other alternatives such as sodium bicarbonate because Al(OH)3, being insoluble, does not increase the pH of stomach above 7 and hence, does not trigger secretion of excess acid by the stomach. Brand names include Alu-Cap, Aludrox, Gaviscon or Pepsamar. It reacts with the excess acid in the stomach, reducing the acidity of the stomach content, which may relieve the symptoms of ulcers, heartburn or dyspepsia. Such products can cause constipation, because the aluminum ions inhibit the contractions of smooth muscle cells in the gastrointestinal tract, slowing peristalsis and lengthening the time needed for stool to pass through the colon. Some such products (such as Maalox) are formulated to minimize such effects through the inclusion of equal concentrations of magnesium hydroxide or magnesium carbonate, which have counterbalancing laxative effects. This compound is also used to control phosphate (phosphorus) levels in the blood of people suffering from kidney failure. Precipitated aluminum hydroxide is included as an adjuvant in some vaccines (e.g. anthrax vaccine). One of the well-known brands of aluminum hydroxide adjuvant is Alhydrogel, made by Brenntag Biosector. Since it absorbs protein well, it also functions to stabilize vaccines by preventing the proteins in the vaccine from precipitating or sticking to the walls of the container during storage. Aluminium hydroxide is sometimes mistakenly called "alum", which properly refers to aluminum potassium sulfate. Vaccine formulations containing aluminum hydroxide stimulate the immune system by inducing the release of uric acid, an immunological danger signal. This strongly attracts certain types of monocytes which differentiate into dendritic cells. The dendritic cells pick up the antigen, carry it to lymph nodes, and stimulate T cells and B cells. It appears to contribute to induction of a good Th2 response, so is useful for immunizing against pathogens that are blocked by antibodies. In the 1960s and 1970s, it was speculated that aluminum was related to various neurological disorders including Alzheimer's disease. Since then, multiple epidemiological studies have found no connection between exposure to aluminum and neurological disorders.

Algeldrate (Aluminium hydroxide) is the amphoteric inorganic compound used as an antacid in the treatment of Duodenal, Peptic and Stomach Ulcer and some other conditions. Aluminium hydroxide is preferred over other alternatives such as sodium bicarbonate because Al(OH)3, being insoluble, does not increase the pH of stomach above 7 and hence, does not trigger secretion of excess acid by the stomach. Brand names include Alu-Cap, Aludrox, Gaviscon or Pepsamar. It reacts with the excess acid in the stomach, reducing the acidity of the stomach content, which may relieve the symptoms of ulcers, heartburn or dyspepsia. Such products can cause constipation, because the aluminum ions inhibit the contractions of smooth muscle cells in the gastrointestinal tract, slowing peristalsis and lengthening the time needed for stool to pass through the colon. Some such products (such as Maalox) are formulated to minimize such effects through the inclusion of equal concentrations of magnesium hydroxide or magnesium carbonate, which have counterbalancing laxative effects. This compound is also used to control phosphate (phosphorus) levels in the blood of people suffering from kidney failure. Precipitated aluminum hydroxide is included as an adjuvant in some vaccines (e.g. anthrax vaccine). One of the well-known brands of aluminum hydroxide adjuvant is Alhydrogel, made by Brenntag Biosector. Since it absorbs protein well, it also functions to stabilize vaccines by preventing the proteins in the vaccine from precipitating or sticking to the walls of the container during storage. Aluminium hydroxide is sometimes mistakenly called "alum", which properly refers to aluminum potassium sulfate. Vaccine formulations containing aluminum hydroxide stimulate the immune system by inducing the release of uric acid, an immunological danger signal. This strongly attracts certain types of monocytes which differentiate into dendritic cells. The dendritic cells pick up the antigen, carry it to lymph nodes, and stimulate T cells and B cells. It appears to contribute to induction of a good Th2 response, so is useful for immunizing against pathogens that are blocked by antibodies. In the 1960s and 1970s, it was speculated that aluminum was related to various neurological disorders including Alzheimer's disease. Since then, multiple epidemiological studies have found no connection between exposure to aluminum and neurological disorders.

Burow invented an astringent antiseptic solution of aluminium acetate in water to relieve the itching and inflammation of minor skin irritations. At present the oflicial U. S. P. procedure to made Burow's solution involves the reaction of aluminum sulfate, calcium carbonate and acetic acid to form aluminum sub-acetate, also termed basic aluminum acetate. The solution is available as an over-the-counter drug for topical administration, with brand names including Domeboro. Burow's solution has been shown to be effective against chronic suppurative otitis media and otitis externa. It is active against bacteria resulting in damage to the cell wall.