Nearly 60 years ago, chromium, as the trivalent ion, was proposed to be an essential element, but the results of new studies indicate that chromium currently can only be considered pharmacologically active and not an essential element. Chromium is a mineral that humans need in very small quantities. Good sources include broccoli, liver, and brewers' yeast. Taking chromium by mouth is effective for preventing chromium deficiency. It is also taken by mouth for depression, Turner's syndrome, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), lowering "bad" cholesterol, raising "good" cholesterol in people taking heart medications called beta blockers, obesity, metabolic syndrome, heart attack, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, binge eating disorder, and a disease called reactive hypoglycemia. Chromium has been marketed as an agent to reduce body mass and develop muscle; however, such marketing claims are no longer allowed in the United States because they are not supported by experiments. Trivalent chromium has also been proposed as a therapeutic agent to increase insulin sensitivity and affect lipid metabolism. Although effective in certain rodent models, beneficial effects in humans have not been unequivocally established.

Water O-15 as a diagnostic agent that was used in H215O-positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging for noninvasive measurement of cerebral blood flow.

Butanilicaine (Hostacain) is a local anesthetic. It uses may associate with a risk of allergy. Butanilicaine has a vasodilator effect.

Aminopropyl racementhyl phosphate is a prodrug of menthol patented by Pacific Corporation (Korea). Upon administration, it is enzymatically decomposed into menthol and 3-aminopropylphosphoric acid, a component used for anti-aging cosmetic composition. Aminopropyl racementhyl phosphate was found to reduce the irritation of menthol while maintaining its useful effects.

Cytarabine ocfosfate (commercial name: Starasid) is a prodrug having stearyl group attached to phosphoric acid at 5' position of arabinose moiety of cytosine arabinoside (Ara-C). This drug is given orally. The mode of action is in the inhibition of DNA synthesis after conversion to Ara-CTP as in Ara-C. The drug is metabolized in the liver, producing the intermediate metabolite, C-C3PCA which is converted to Ara-C gradually. This property results in the maintenance of relatively long time the blood Ara-C levels. This was proved to be active clinically against acute leukemia and MDS.