Talcum powder is made from talc, a mineral made up mainly of the elements magnesium, silicon, and oxygen. As a powder, it absorbs moisture well and helps cut down on friction, making it useful for keeping skin dry and helping to prevent rashes. It is widely used in cosmetic products such as baby powder and adult body and facial powders, as well as in a number of other consumer products. The therapeutic action of talc instilled into the pleural cavity is believed to result from induction of an inflammatory reaction. This reaction promotes adherence of the visceral and parietal pleura, obliterating the pleural space and preventing reaccumulation of pleural fluid. Sterile Talc Powder, administered intrapleurally via chest tube, is indicated as a sclerosing agent to decrease the recurrence of malignant pleural effusions in symptomatic patients. The most often reported adverse experiences to intrapleurally-administered talc were fever and pain.

Sodium sulfate anhydrous is an electrolyte replenisher and is used in isosmotic solutions so that administration does not disturb normal electrolyte balance and does not lead to absorption or excretion of water and ions. It is indicated for bowel cleansing prior to colonoscopy or barium enema X-ray examination. Sodium Sulfate, Potassium Sulfate and Magnesium Sulfate Oral Solution is indicated for cleansing of the colon as a preparation for colonoscopy in adults.

Sodium lactate is primarily indicated as a source of bicarbonate for prevention or control of mild to moderate metabolic acidosis in patients with restricted oral intake whose oxidative processes are not seriously impaired. Sodium Lactate is most commonly associated with an E number of “E325” Sodium Lactate blends are commonly used in meat and poultry products to extend shelf life and increase food safety. They have a broad antimicrobial action and are effective at inhibiting most spoilage and pathogenic bacteria. In addition sodium lactate is used in cosmetics as a humectant, providing moisture.

Synthetic glycerophosphates have been known for many years and have been prepared in several ways. The acid may exist in two isomeric forms, alpha and beta. The L-a-acid is the naturally occurring form; the b-acid, present in hydrolyzates of lecithins from natural sources, arises from migration of the phosphoryl group from the a-carbon atom. Dehydrogenation of L-glycerol 3-phosphate produces Dihydroxyacetone phosphate and is part of the entry of glycerol (sourced from triglycerides) into the glycolytic pathway.

Pentobarbital belongs to the class of a short-acting barbiturate is used as sedatives, hypnotics, for the short-term treatment of insomnia, since they appear to lose their effectiveness for sleep induction and sleep maintenance after 2 weeks; preanesthetics and anticonvulsant, in anesthetic doses, in the emergency control of certain acute convulsive episodes, e.g., those associated with status epilepticus, cholera, eclampsia, meningitis, tetanus, and toxic reactions to strychnine or local anesthetics. Pentobarbital binds at a distinct binding site associated with a Cl- ionopore at the GABAA receptor, increasing the duration of time for which the Cl- ionopore is open. The post-synaptic inhibitory effect of GABA in the thalamus is, therefore, prolonged. All of these effects are associated with marked decreases in GABA-sensitive neuronal calcium conductance (gCa). The net result of barbiturate action is acute potentiation of inhibitory GABAergic tone. Barbiturates also act through potent (if less well characterized) and direct inhibition of excitatory AMPA-type glutamate receptors, resulting in a profound suppression of glutamatergic neurotransmission.

The alkaloid L-(-)-scopolamine [L-(-)-hyoscine], a belladonna alkaloid, competitively inhibits muscarinic receptors for acetylcholine and acts as a nonselective muscarinic antagonist, producing both peripheral antimuscarinic properties and central sedative, antiemetic, and amnestic effects. Scopolamine acts: i) as a competitive inhibitor at postganglionic muscarinic receptor sites of the parasympathetic nervous system, and ii) on smooth muscles that respond to acetylcholine but lack cholinergic innervation. It has been suggested that scopolamine acts in the central nervous system (CNS) by blocking cholinergic transmission from the vestibular nuclei to higher centers in the CNS and from the reticular formation to the vomiting center. Scopolamine can inhibit the secretion of saliva and sweat, decrease gastrointestinal secretions and motility, cause drowsiness, dilate the pupils, increase heart rate, and depress motor function. Scopolamine is used for premedication in anesthesia and for the prevention of nausea and vomiting (post operative and associated with motion sickness).

Cocaine is an alkaloid ester extracted from the leaves of plants including coca. Cocaine is a local anesthetic and vasoconstrictor and is clinically used for that purpose, particularly in the eye, ear, nose, and throat. It also has powerful central nervous system effects similar to the amphetamines and is a drug of abuse. Cocaine, like amphetamines, acts by multiple mechanisms on brain catecholaminergic neurons; the mechanism of its reinforcing effects is thought to involve inhibition of dopamine uptake. Cocaine is addictive due to its effect on the reward pathway in the brain. After a short period of use, there is a high risk that dependence will occur. Its use also increases the risk of stroke, myocardial infarction, lung problems in those who smoke it, blood infections, and sudden cardiac death. Cocaine sold on the street is commonly mixed with local anesthetics, cornstarch, quinine, or sugar which can result in additional toxicity. Following repeated doses, a person may have decreased the ability to feel pleasure and be very physically tired. Cocaine acts by inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. This results in greater concentrations of these three neurotransmitters in the brain. It can easily cross the blood-brain barrier and may lead to the breakdown of the barrier.

Nitrous oxide (N2O, laughing gas) was first discovered by the English scientist Joseph Priestly and has been used for more than 150 years. It has remained one of the most widely used anesthetics in both dental and medical applications. This small and simple inorganic chemical molecule has indisputable effects of analgesia, anxiolysis, and anesthesia that are of great clinical interest. As a general anesthetic, it is very weak and is generally not used as a single agent. It may be used as a carrier gas with oxygen in combination with more potent general inhalational gases for surgical anesthesia. In dentistry, it is commonly used as a single agent (with oxygen) for partial sedation, most commonly in pediatric dental populations. Findings to date indicate that the analgesic effect of N2O is opioid in nature, and, like morphine, may involve a myriad of neuromodulators in the spinal cord. The anxiolytic effect of N2O, on the other hand, resembles that of benzodiazepines and may be initiated at selected subunits of the gamma-aminobutyric acid type A (GABA(A)) receptor. Similarly, the anesthetic effect of N2O may involve actions at GABA(A) receptors and possibly at N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors as well.

Haloprogin is an active synthetic antifungal and antimonilial agent that was effective in the treatment of superficial fungal and monilial infections of the skin. Because of these two basic therapeutic effects, haloprogin was especially useful in the treatment of infections when the identity of the specific causative organism had not been established or is being determined. Studies in-vitro demonstrated antifungal, antimonilial and antibacterial activity. It was shown to demonstrate marked in-vitro activity against Staphylococcus and Streptococcus. Haloprogin is no longer available in the US.