Glufosamide (glucosylifosfamide mustars) consists of iphosphoramide mustard conjugated to glucose, and is an alkylating agent (affecting the ability of the cancer cell to multiply by causing breakage of the DNA strands). Glufosamide is considered a targeted chemotherapy with fewer side effects than alternative chemotherapies. Its specific mode of action on normal and pathological cells is still under investigation. Glufosamide was studied for use in several cancers, like pancreatic and prostate cancer, and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Multipe clinical trials have been completed or are still ongoing. Most promising results were found when glufosamide was used in combination treatments, rather than alone.

Mesna is an organosulfur compound used as an adjuvant in cancer chemotherapy involving cyclophosphamide and ifosfamide. No clinical drug interaction studies have been conducted with mesna. Mesna concentrates in the bladder where acrolein accumulates after administration of chemotherapy and through a Michael addition, forms a conjugate with acrolein and other urotoxic metabolites. This conjugation reaction inactivates the urotoxic compounds to harmless metabolites. The most common adverse reactions (> 10%) when MESNEX is given with ifosfamide are nausea, vomiting, constipation, leukopenia, fatigue, fever, anorexia, thrombocytopenia, anemia, granulocytopenia, diarrhea, asthenia, abdominal pain, headache, alopecia, and somnolence.

Fluoxetine hydrochloride is the first agent of the class of antidepressants known as selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Fluoxetine is a racemic mixture of the R- and S- enantiomers and are of equivalent pharmacologic activity. Despite distinct structural differences between compounds in this class, SSRIs possess similar pharmacological activity. As with other antidepressant agents, several weeks of therapy may be required before a clinical effect is seen. SSRIs are potent inhibitors of neuronal serotonin reuptake. They have little to no effect on norepinephrine or dopamine reuptake and do not antagonize α- or β-adrenergic, dopamine D2 or histamine H1 receptors. During acute use, SSRIs block serotonin reuptake and increase serotonin stimulation of somatodendritic 5-HT1A and terminal autoreceptors. Fluoxetine is marketed under the trade names Prozac and Sarafem among others. It is also marketed for the treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (Sarafem®, fluoxetine hydrochloride). PROZAC is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor indicated for: • Acute and maintenance treatment of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) in adult and pediatric patients aged 8 to 18 years • Acute and maintenance treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) in adult and pediatric patients aged 7 to 17 years • Acute and maintenance treatment of Bulimia Nervosa in adult patients • Acute treatment of Panic Disorder, with or without agoraphobia, in adult patients. Studies at clinically relevant doses in man have demonstrated that fluoxetine blocks the uptake of serotonin into human platelets. Studies in animals also suggest that fluoxetine is a much more potent uptake inhibitor of serotonin than of norepinephrine. Antagonism of muscarinic, histaminergic, and α1-adrenergic receptors has been hypothesized to be associated with various anticholinergic, sedative, and cardiovascular effects of classical tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) drugs. Fluoxetine binds to these and other membrane receptors from brain tissue much less potently in vitro than do the tricyclic drugs.

Ursodiol tablets, USP are bile acids indicated for the treatment of patients with primary biliary cirrhosis. Ursodiol (Ursodeoxycholic acid), a naturally occurring hydrophilic bile acid, derived from cholesterol, is present as a minor fraction of the total human bile acid pool. Ursodeoxycholic acid reduces elevated liver enzyme levels by facilitating bile flow through the liver and protecting liver cells. The main mechanism if anticholelithic. Although the exact process of ursodiol's anticholelithic action is not completely understood, it is thought that the drug is concentrated in bile and decreases biliary cholesterol by suppressing hepatic synthesis and secretion of cholesterol and by inhibiting its intestinal absorption. The reduced cholesterol saturation permits the gradual solubilization of cholesterol from gallstones, resulting in their eventual dissolution. In addition to the replacement and displacement of toxic bile acids, other mechanisms of action include cytoprotection of the injured bile duct epithelial cells (cholangiocytes) against toxic effects of bile acids, inhibition of apotosis of hepatocytes, immunomodulatory effects, and stimulation of bile secretion by hepatocytes and cholangiocytes. Neither accidental nor intentional overdosing with ursodeoxycholic acid has been reported. Doses of ursodeoxycholic acid in the range of 16-20 mg/kg/day have been tolerated for 6-37 months without symptoms by 7 patients. The LD50 for ursodeoxycholic acid in rats is over 5000 mg/kg given over 7-10 days and over 7500 mg/kg for mice. The most likely manifestation of severe overdose with ursodeoxycholic acid would probably be diarrhea, which should be treated symptomatically.

Dronabinol also known as (−)-trans-delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol is an active ingredient of cannabis. The drug was approved by FDA for the treatment of anorexia in patients with AIDS and chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Dronabinol exerts its action by activating CB1 and CB2 recepors which makes it a CNS active medicine.

Acebutolol is a cardioselective, beta-adrenoreceptor blocking agent, which possesses mild intrinsic sympathomimetic activity (ISA) in its therapeutically effective dose range. Acebutolol is marketed under the trade names Sectral, Prent. Acebutolol is indicated for the management of hypertension in adults. It may be used alone or in combination with other antihypertensive agents, especially thiazide-type diuretics. Acebutolol is also indicated in the management of ventricular premature beats; it reduces the total number of premature beats, as well as the number of paired and multiform ventricular ectopic beats, and R-on-T beats. Acebutolol is a selective β1-receptor antagonist. Activation of β1-receptors by epinephrine increases the heart rate and the blood pressure, and the heart consumes more oxygen. Acebutolol blocks these receptors, lowering the heart rate and blood pressure. This drug then has the reverse effect of epinephrine. In addition, beta blockers prevent the release of renin, which is a hormone produced by the kidneys which leads to constriction of blood vessels.

Pentoxil (Pentoxifylline Extended-release Tablets, USP) is indicated for the treatment of patients with intermittent claudication based on chronic occlusive arterial disease of the limbs. Pentoxil can improve function and symptoms but is not intended to replace more definitive therapy, such as surgical bypass, or removal of arterial obstructions when treating peripheral vascular disease. Pentoxifylline and its metabolites improve the flow properties of blood by decreasing its viscosity. In patients with chronic peripheral arterial disease, this increases blood flow to the affected microcirculation and enhances tissue oxygenation. The precise mode of action of pentoxifylline and the sequence of events leading to clinical improvement are still to be defined. Pentoxifylline inhibits erythrocyte phosphodiesterase, resulting in an increase in erythrocyte cAMP activity. Subsequently, the erythrocyte membrane becomes more resistant to deformity. Along with erythrocyte activity, pentoxifylline also decreases blood viscosity by reducing plasma fibrinogen concentrations and increasing fibrinolytic activity. It is also a non-selective adenosine receptor antagonist. Pentoxifylline administration has been shown to produce dose-related hemorrheologic effects, lowering blood viscosity, and improving erythrocyte flexibility. Pentoxifylline has been shown to increase leukocyte deformability and to inhibit neutrophil adhesion and activation. Tissue oxygen levels have been shown to be significantly increased by therapeutic doses of pentoxifylline in patients with peripheral arterial disease. Clinical trials were conducted using either extended-release pentoxifylline tablets for up to 60 weeks or immediate-release pentoxifylline capsules for up to 24 weeks. Dosage ranges in the tablet studies were 400 mg bid to tid and in the capsule studies, 200-400 mg tid. The incidence of adverse reactions was higher in the capsule studies (where dose related increases were seen in digestive and nervous system side effects) than in the tablet studies. Studies with the capsule include domestic experience, whereas studies with the extended-release tablets were conducted outside the U.S.

Nicotine is a natural alkaloid obtained from the dried leaves and stems of the nightshade family of pants, such as Nicotiana tabacum and Nicotiana rustica, where it occurs in concentrations of 0.5-8%. Cigarette tobacco varies in its nicotine content, but common blends contain 15-25 mg per cigarette, with a current trend towards lower levels. Nicotine is highly addictive substance, it exhibits a stimulant effect when adsorbed at 2 mg. Administration of higher doses could be harmful. Action of nicotine is mediated by nicotinic cholinergic receptors. Nicotine binds to the interface between two subunits of the receptors, opens the channel and allows the entry of sodium or calcium. The principal mediator of nicotine dependence is α4β2 nicotine receptor.

Verapamil is a FDA approved drug used to treat high blood pressure and to control chest pain. Verapamil is an L-type calcium channel blocker that also has antiarrythmic activity. The R-enantiomer is more effective at reducing blood pressure compared to the S-enantiomer. However, the S-enantiomer is 20 times more potent than the R-enantiomer at prolonging the PR interval in treating arrhythmias. Verapamil inhibits voltage-dependent calcium channels. Specifically, its effect on L-type calcium channels in the heart causes a reduction in ionotropy and chronotropy, thuis reducing heart rate and blood pressure. Verapamil's mechanism of effect in cluster headache is thought to be linked to its calcium-channel blocker effect, but which channel subtypes are involved is presently not known.

Trans-calcitriol or Calcitriol Impurity A, is the impurity of Calcitriol. Calcitriol is the hormonally active form of vitamin D, Calcitriol is the active metabolite of vitamin D3 that activates the vitamin D receptor (VDR). Calcitriol Impurity A is the physiologically active form of vitamin D. It is formed primarily in the kidney by enzymatic hydroxylation of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (CALCIFEDIOL). Its production is stimulated by low blood calcium levels and parathyroid hormone. Calcitriol increases intestinal absorption of calcium and phosphorus, and in concert with parathyroid hormone increases bone resorption.