Estradiol benzoate is the synthetic benzoate ester of estradiol, a steroid sex hormone vital to the maintenance of fertility and secondary sexual characteristics in females. As the primary, most potent estrogen hormone produced by the ovaries, estradiol binds to and activates specific nuclear receptors. This agent exhibits mild anabolic and metabolic properties, and increases blood coagulability. Although estradiol benzoate is not approved by the FDA for use in humans in the United States, it is approved for veterinary use as a subdermal implant both alone (CELERIN®) and in combination with the anabolic steroid trenbolone acetate (SYNOVEX® Plus).

Perflenapent (EchoGen, Sonus Pharmaceuticals, Bothel, WA, USA) is a transpulmonary echocardiographic contrast agent for use in patients with suspected or established cardiovascular disease to provide opacification of cardiac chambers, enhance left ventricular border delineation with resulting improvement in wall motion visualisation. EchoGen comprises liquid droplets of dodecafluoropentane stabilised by polyfluoroalkyl(polyoxyethylene) ethanol and dispersed in an aqueous formulation containing sucrose. Dodecafluoropentane is the chemical name used to reflect the perflenapent/perflisopent mixture. Following activation and administration of EchoGen, dodecafluoropentane microbubbles are formed. EchoGen should only be used in patients where the study without contrast enhancement is inconclusive. The European Commission has approved SONUS Pharmaceuticals' EchoGen (perflenapent emulsion) in all 15 countries of the European Union. EchoGen is a fluorocarbon-based ultrasound contrast agent which has been approved as a transpulmonary echocardiographic contrast agent for use in patients with suspected or established cardiovascular disease who have had previous inconclusive non-contrast studies. Additional approved labeling in the EU states that the use of EchoGen in spectral and color Doppler studies was shown to enhance the visualization of blood flow across mitral, aortic and tricuspid valves in a subset of patients. In 2000 SONUS Pharmaceuticals withdrew the NDA for EchoGen in the USA.

Nomegestrol acetate (NOMAC) is a 19-norprogesterone derivative with high biological activity at the progesterone receptor, a weak anti-androgenic effect, but with no binding to estrogen, glucocorticoid or mineralocorticoid receptors. Nomegestrol has been developed by the Monaco-based company Théramex SAM (a Teva subsidiary). Nomegestrol acetate has been used successfully for the treatment of some gynaecological disorders (menstrual disturbances, dysmenorrhoea, premenstrual syndrome) and as a component of hormone replacement therapy in combination with estradiol for the relief of menopausal symptoms; it has been approved in Europe as monotherapy for the treatment of the menopausal syndrome, uterine diseases and menorrhagia, and in combination with an estrogen for the treatment of menopausal symptoms. Nomegestrol acetate in combination with estradiol is used as an oral contraceptive.

Norelgestromin, the progestin, is the active metabolite of norgestimate and is structurally related to 19-nortestosterone. Norgestimate and norelgestromin mimic the physiologic effects of progesterone at the progesterone receptor. Johnson & Johnson developed an adhesive female contraceptive patch that contains ethinylestradiol (0.75mg) and the progestogen norelgestromin (6mg). his product is a combination contraceptive acting via the inhibition gonadotropins. Its primary mechanism of action involves the suppression of ovulation, including changes in the cervical mucus and endometrium. The patch delivers a continuous flow of hormones through the skin and into the bloodstream. The contraceptive patch is available in countries worldwide.

Liraglutide is an acylated human Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist with 97% amino acid sequence homology to endogenous human GLP-1(7-37). GLP-1(7-37) represents <20% of total circulating endogenous GLP-1. Like GLP-1(7-37), liraglutide activates the GLP-1 receptor, a membranebound cell-surface receptor coupled to adenylyl cyclase by the stimulatory G-protein, Gs, in pancreatic beta cells. Liraglutide increases intracellular cyclic AMP (cAMP) leading to insulin release in the presence of elevated glucose concentrations. This insulin secretion subsides as blood glucose concentrations decrease and approach euglycemia. Liraglutide also decreases glucagon secretion in a glucose-dependent manner. The mechanism of blood glucose lowering also involves a delay in gastric emptying. GLP-1(7-37) has a half-life of 1.5-2 minutes due to degradation by the ubiquitous endogenous enzymes, dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) and neutral endopeptidases (NEP). Unlike native GLP-1, liraglutide is stable against metabolic degradation by both peptidases and has a plasma half-life of 13 hours after subcutaneous administration. The pharmacokinetic profile of liraglutide, which makes it suitable for once daily administration, is a result of self-association that delays absorption, plasma protein binding and stability against metabolic degradation by DPP-IV and NEP. Liraglutide, a subcutaneous, once-daily GLP-1 agonist, is approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in the United States and Europe. It also has been studied for weight loss. Liraglutide helps to induce and sustain weight loss in patients with obesity. Its efficacy is comparable to other available agents but it offers the unique benefit of improved glycemic control.