Pipradrol (Meratran) is a psychoactive agent and a central nervous system stimulant useful in the field of psychiatry. In vitro study has shown that pipradrol inhibits the reuptake of and stimulates the release of dopamine and norepinephrine. In these pharmacodynamic actions it is less potent than d-amphetamine. It was shown that pipradrol conditioned place preference (CPP) was blocked by selective D1 dopamine antagonist SCH23390 suggesting that a rewarding effect of pipradrol establishment of a CPP may involve activation of D1 dopamine receptors. Pipradrol was initially used as an adjunct in the dietary management of obesity as well as for the treatment of dementia. There have been a number of reports on the properties of pipradrol showing its favorable effects in the treatment of depression and fatigue status as well as a variety of other conditions including narcolepsy, spasmodic torticollis, schizophrenia and in geriatric practice. Pipradrol has a definite cerebral stimulating effect without affecting the blood pressure or respiration and has been used to counteract post-anasthetic and chlorpromazine depression in man. Structurally related to -phenylmethylamphetamine, a potent stimulant with a long half-life, pipradrol differs from amphetamine in that its action is more intense at higher centres, it lacks pressor activity, there is no post-excitement depression, and it does not depress the desire for food as occurs with amphetamine. The drug however is enhancing the existing pathologic behavior such as exacerbating pre-existing anxiety and is considered the drug of abuse. Meratran has certain indications and contraindications. Indications are schizophrenics without delusions having restriction of interest and activity and with depressant features, psycho-motor retardation and/or blocking of communication, long-term hospitalized schizophrenics with severe deterioration while contraindications are patients with delusions, anxiety, disturbed patients with cerebral arteriosclerosis. Pipradrol was made illegal in many countries in 1970s due to its abuse potential. It is classified under the Misuse of Drugs Act as a Class C substance. The combination of pipradrol with multivitamins and minerals marketed as Alertonic Elixir is used as adjunctive therapy in combating fatigue resulting from emotional or nutritional causes.

VINBARBITAL, a barbiturate derivative, is a hypnotic drug. Also, it was used for analgesia and anesthesia in obstetrics.

Hexobarbital or hexobarbitone, (sold both in acid and sodium salt, brand name Evipan, and Tobinal), is a barbiturate derivative having hypnotic and sedative effects. It was used in the 1940s and 1950s as an agent for inducing anesthesia for surgery, as well as a rapid-acting, short-lasting hypnotic for general use, and has a relatively fast onset of effects and short duration of action. It was also used to murder women prisoners at Ravensbruck Concentration Camp. Modern barbiturates (such as Thiopental) has largely supplanted the use of hexobarbital as an anesthetic, as they allow for better control of the depth of anesthesia. Hexobarbital is still used in some scientific research. Hexobarbital binds at a distinct binding site associated with a Cl- ionophore at the GABA-A receptor, increasing the duration of time for which the Cl- ionophore is open. The post-synaptic inhibitory effect of GABA in the thalamus is, therefore, prolonged.

Secobarbital sodium, a barbiturate, is FDA approved for the treatment of insomnia and for pre-anesthetic use. This drug binds at a distinct 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. Adverse reactions are drowsiness, lethargy, hangover, paradoxical excitement in elderly patients, somnolence. Rifampin may decrease secobarbital levels by increasing metabolism.

Aminophenazone is a phenyl-pyrazolone derivative with potent analgesic and antipyretic properties. Aminophenazone has been used as salt or complexes, including topically as the salicylate. It was recommended for the treatment of a fever, neuralgia, myositis, acute rheumatism, arthritis, chorea. In 1999 the FDA suspended aminophenazone. The drug caused agranulocytosis. Some of the cases of agranulocytosis were fatal. Another reason for suspending this drug from the market was its ability to react with nitrite-containing food, thus forming carcinogenic nitrosamines. A breath test with 13C-labeled aminopyrine has been used as a non-invasive measure of cytochrome P-450 metabolic activity in liver function tests.

Dipyrone, also known as Metamizole (INN), is an ampyrone sulfonate analgesic, antispasmodic and antipyretic. It was withdrawn from US market in 1977 on the basis of reports of agranulocytosis. Depyrone is still used to treat severe and diffucult for relieving pains of different origin; headache, tooth-ache, pains in the joints, muscles, following traumas and operations, gall and kidney colics, neurites, neuralgias, traumatic cerebrasthenia; inflammation of upper respiratory ways of microbial or virus origin; chorea; febrile states. Mechanism of action of dipyrone is complex. It is believed that dipyrone exerts its action by inhibiting COX-3, and activates opioid and cannabioid systems either itself, or by products of its metabolic degradation.

Dipyrone, also known as Metamizole (INN), is an ampyrone sulfonate analgesic, antispasmodic and antipyretic. It was withdrawn from US market in 1977 on the basis of reports of agranulocytosis. Depyrone is still used to treat severe and diffucult for relieving pains of different origin; headache, tooth-ache, pains in the joints, muscles, following traumas and operations, gall and kidney colics, neurites, neuralgias, traumatic cerebrasthenia; inflammation of upper respiratory ways of microbial or virus origin; chorea; febrile states. Mechanism of action of dipyrone is complex. It is believed that dipyrone exerts its action by inhibiting COX-3, and activates opioid and cannabioid systems either itself, or by products of its metabolic degradation.

Morpholine salicylate is a derivative of salicylic acid. It is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug and was marketed under a tradename Retarcyl, Dolical and Deposal.

Proxibarbal is a non-sedative barbiturate with a specific anti-serotonin and anti-histamine effect, due to enzyme induction of serotoninase and histaminase. Its lack of unpleasant side-effects. Proxibarbal exists in ring-chain tautomeric equilibrium with the two diastereomers of valofan. Proxibarbal is metabolized to a five-membered lactone. Its only barbituric property is its ability to induce enzymes that destroy a surplus of neurohormones and rid people of their neurovegetative sufferings, including migraine and other types of vascular headache. Side effects are: dizziness, drowsiness, dyspepsia, allergic reactions. Proxibarbal enhances the effects of other depriving agents, including alcohol.

Alaproclate is a selective 5-HT uptake inhibitor. Alaproclate enantiomers block potassium and NMDA receptor currents in a stereoselective manner. Alaproclate was practically devoid of action on a number of receptors as examined in binding studies in vitro: 5-HT, histamine-H1, alpha 1, -alpha 2-adrenergic and dopamine D2 receptors. Alaproclate was investigated in trials for the treatment of depression and dementia.