Encainide is an antiarrhythmic drug, developed by Bristol Myers Co supplied 25 and 35 mg capsules for oral administration. Encainide is no longer used because of its frequent proarrhythmic side effects. The mechanisms of the antiarrhythmic effects of Enkaid are unknown but probably are the result of its ability to slow conduction, reduce membrane responsiveness, inhibit automaticity, and increase the ratio of the effective refractory period to action potential duration. Enkaid produces a differentially greater effect on the ischemic zone as compared with normal cells in the myocardium. This could result in the elimination of the disparity in the electrophysiologic properties between these two zones and eliminate pathways of abnormal impulse conduction, development of boundary currents and/or sites of abnormal impulse generation. The absorption of Enkaid after oral administration is nearly complete with peak plasma levels present 30 to 90 minutes after dosing. There are two major genetically determined patterns of encainide metabolism. In over 90% of patients, the drug is rapidly and extensively metabolized with an elimination half-life of 1 to 2 hours. These patients convert encainide to two active metabolites, O-demethylencainide (ODE) and 3-methoxy-O-demethylencainide (MODE), that are more active (on a per mg basis) than encainide itself. In less than 10% of patients, metabolism of encainide is slower and the estimated encainide elimination half-life is 6 to 11 hours. Slow metabolism of encainide is associated with a diminished ability to metabolize debrisoquin. Enkaid should be administered only after appropriate clinical assessment and the dosage of Enkaid must be individualized for each patient on the basis of therapeutic response and tolerance. The recommended initial dosing schedule for adults is one 25 mg Enkaid capsule t.i.d. at approximately 8-hour intervals.

Pirbuterol (trade name Maxair) is a short-acting β2 adrenoreceptor agonist with bronchodilating action used in the treatment of asthma. The pharmacologic effects of beta-adrenergic agonist drugs, including pirbuterol, are at least in proof attributable to stimulation through beta-adrenergic receptors of intracellular adenyl cyclase, the enzyme which catalyzes the conversion of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to cyclic-adenosine monophosphate (c-AMP). Increased c-AMP levels are associated with relaxation of bronchial smooth muscle and inhibition of release of mediators of immediate hypersensitivity from cells, especially from mast cells. Pirbuterol is used in asthma for reversal of acute bronchospasm, and also as a maintenance medication to prevent future attacks. It should be used in patients 12 years of age and older with or without concurrent theophylline and/or inhaled corticosteroid. After inhalation of doses up to 800 μg (twice the maximum recommended dose) systemic blood levels of pirbuterol are below the limit of assay sensitivity (2–5 ng/ml). A mean of 51% of the dose is recovered in urine as pirbuterol plus its sulfate conjugate following administration by aerosol. Pirbuterol is not metabolized by catechol-O-methyltransferase.

Pirbuterol (trade name Maxair) is a short-acting β2 adrenoreceptor agonist with bronchodilating action used in the treatment of asthma. The pharmacologic effects of beta-adrenergic agonist drugs, including pirbuterol, are at least in proof attributable to stimulation through beta-adrenergic receptors of intracellular adenyl cyclase, the enzyme which catalyzes the conversion of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to cyclic-adenosine monophosphate (c-AMP). Increased c-AMP levels are associated with relaxation of bronchial smooth muscle and inhibition of release of mediators of immediate hypersensitivity from cells, especially from mast cells. Pirbuterol is used in asthma for reversal of acute bronchospasm, and also as a maintenance medication to prevent future attacks. It should be used in patients 12 years of age and older with or without concurrent theophylline and/or inhaled corticosteroid. After inhalation of doses up to 800 μg (twice the maximum recommended dose) systemic blood levels of pirbuterol are below the limit of assay sensitivity (2–5 ng/ml). A mean of 51% of the dose is recovered in urine as pirbuterol plus its sulfate conjugate following administration by aerosol. Pirbuterol is not metabolized by catechol-O-methyltransferase.

Suprafen is a dual inhibitor of COX-1 and COX-2, which was used for the inhibition of intraoperative miosis. Suprafen was marketed under the name Profenal, however, it is no longer available in the USA.

Nomifensine was developed by Hoechst AG as a potent inhibitor of noradrenaline, dopamine, and 5-HT uptake displayed antidepressant activity. It was first marketed in the UK in 1977 for the treatment of depression. Between 1977 and 1982 there were reports of hemolytic anemia in association with the drug, and this suspected adverse reaction was included in the 1981 edition of the data Sheet Compendium. FDA published a notice of its determination that Merital capsules were removed from the market for safety reasons.

Ceforanide is a new cephalosporin with a longer elimination half-life than any currently available cephalosporin. Its activity is very similar to that of cefamandole, a second-generation cephalosporin, except that ceforanide is less active against most gram-positive organisms. The bactericidal activity of ceforanide results from the inhibition of cell wall synthesis via affinity for penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs). Ceforanide is primarily indicated in conditions like bone and joint infection, endocarditis, respiratory tract infections, skin infections, surgical infections, urinary tract infection. Rash and pruritus, and nausea, vomiting and other mild gastrointestinal side effects were noted in a few of the subjects but were mild and transient.

Cefonicid is a semi-synthetic broad-spectrum cephalosporin antibiotic resistant to beta-lactamases. Similarly to other cephalosporins, cefonicid exerts its antibacterial activity through the inhibition of the bacterial cell-wall synthesis. Its in vitro and in vivo activity against a wide range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative microorganisms is documented.

Nomifensine was developed by Hoechst AG as a potent inhibitor of noradrenaline, dopamine, and 5-HT uptake displayed antidepressant activity. It was first marketed in the UK in 1977 for the treatment of depression. Between 1977 and 1982 there were reports of hemolytic anemia in association with the drug, and this suspected adverse reaction was included in the 1981 edition of the data Sheet Compendium. FDA published a notice of its determination that Merital capsules were removed from the market for safety reasons.

Cefonicid is a semi-synthetic broad-spectrum cephalosporin antibiotic resistant to beta-lactamases. Similarly to other cephalosporins, cefonicid exerts its antibacterial activity through the inhibition of the bacterial cell-wall synthesis. Its in vitro and in vivo activity against a wide range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative microorganisms is documented.

Ceforanide is a new cephalosporin with a longer elimination half-life than any currently available cephalosporin. Its activity is very similar to that of cefamandole, a second-generation cephalosporin, except that ceforanide is less active against most gram-positive organisms. The bactericidal activity of ceforanide results from the inhibition of cell wall synthesis via affinity for penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs). Ceforanide is primarily indicated in conditions like bone and joint infection, endocarditis, respiratory tract infections, skin infections, surgical infections, urinary tract infection. Rash and pruritus, and nausea, vomiting and other mild gastrointestinal side effects were noted in a few of the subjects but were mild and transient.