Nabumetone is a naphthylalkanone. Is is a non-selective prostaglandin G/H synthase (a.k.a. cyclooxygenase or COX) inhibitor that acts on both prostaglandin G/H synthase 1 and 2 (COX-1 and -2). Prostaglandin G/H synthase catalyzes the conversion of arachidonic acid to prostaglandin G2 and prostaglandin G2 to prostaglandin H2. Prostaglandin H2 is the precursor to a number of prostaglandins involved in fever, pain, swelling, inflammation, and platelet aggregation. The parent compound is a prodrug that undergoes hepatic biotransformation to the active compound, 6-methoxy-2-naphthylacetic acid (6MNA). The analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effects of NSAIDs occur as a result of decreased prostaglandin synthesis. The parent compound is a prodrug, which undergoes hepatic biotransformation to the active component, 6-methoxy-2-naphthylacetic acid (6MNA), that is a potent inhibitor of prostaglandin synthesis, most likely through binding to the COX-2 and COX-1 receptors. Nabumetone is used for acute and chronic treatment of signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Nabumetone has been developed by Beecham. It is available under numerous brand names, such as Relafen, Relifex, and Gambaran.

Pentostatin, also known as 2’-deoxycoformycin (DCF) under the trade name Nipent, is a potent inhibitor of the enzyme adenosine deaminase and is isolated from fermentation cultures of Streptomyces antibioticus. It was developed by Parke-Davis (now Pfizer) and the National Cancer Institute in the US. Nipent is indicated as single-agent treatment for both untreated and alpha-interferon-refractory hairy cell leukemia patients with active disease as defined by clinically significant anemia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, or disease-related symptoms. Pentostatin is a potent transition state inhibitor of the enzyme adenosine deaminase (ADA). The greatest activity of ADA is found in cells of the lymphoid system with T-cells having higher activity than B-cells, and T-cell malignancies having higher ADA activity than B-cell malignancies. Pentostatin inhibition of ADA, particularly in the presence of adenosine or deoxyadenosine, leads to cytotoxicity, and this is believed to be due to elevated intracellular levels of dATP, which can block DNA synthesis through inhibition of ribonucleotide reductase. Pentostatin can also inhibit RNA synthesis as well as cause increased DNA damage. In addition to elevated dATP, these mechanisms may also contribute to the overall cytotoxic effect of pentostatin. The precise mechanism of pentostatin’s antitumor effect, however, in hairy cell leukemia is not known. In several instances, hepatic toxicity from pentostatin appeared to be somewhat dose related, suggesting that the liver injury is a direct effect of the purine analogue. Because pentostatin is a potent immunosuppressive agent, the possibility exists that some cases of hepatic injury are due to reactivation of hepatitis B or other opportunistic infections. While pentostatin has not been shown to cause reactivation of hepatitis B, there is a strong possibility that it might induce this syndrome, and several cases of hepatic injury during pentostatin therapy were described as due to concurrent hepatitis B.

Eflornithine is a prescription drug indicated in the treatment of facial hirsutism (excessive hair growth). Eflornithine hydrochloride cream for topical application is intended for use in women suffering from facial hirsutism and is sold by Allergan, Inc. under the brand name Vaniqa. Besides being a non-mechanical and non-cosmetic treatment, eflornithine is the only non-hormonal and non-systemic prescription option available for women who suffer from facial hirsutism. Eflornithine for injection against sleeping sickness was manufactured by Sanofi Aventis and sold under the brand name Ornidyl in the USA. It is now discontinued. Eflornithine is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines. Eflornithine prevents hair growth by inhibiting the anagen phase of hair production. This occurs by eflornithine irreversibly binding (also called suicide inhibition) to ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) and physically preventing the natural substrate ornithine from accessing the active site.

Idarubicin is an antineoplastic in the anthracycline class.Idarubicin hydrochloride is a DNA-intercalating analog of daunorubicin which has an inhibitory effect on nucleic acid synthesis and interacts with the enzyme topoisomerase II. The absence of a methoxy group at position 4 of the anthracycline structure gives the compound a high lipophilicity which results in an increased rate of cellular uptake compared with other anthracyclines.Idarubicin possesses an antitumor effect against a wide spectrum of tumors, either grafted or spontaneous. Idarubicin in combination with other approved antileukemic drugs is indicated for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in adults.

Ganciclovir is a synthetic acyclic nucleoside analogue of 2'-deoxyguanosine active against cytomegalovirus. Ganciclovir has been shown to be active against cytomegalovirus (CMV) and herpes simplex virus (HSV) in humans. To achieve anti-CMV activity, ganciclovir is phosphorylated first to the monophosphate form by a CMV-encoded (UL97 gene) protein kinase homologue, then to the di- and triphosphate forms by cellular kinases. Ganciclovir triphosphate concentrations may be 100-fold greater in CMV-infected than in uninfected cells, indicating preferential phosphorylation in infected cells. Ganciclovir triphosphate, once formed, persists for days in the CMV-infected cell. Ganciclovir triphosphate is believed to inhibit viral DNA synthesis by (1) competitive inhibition of viral DNA polymerases; and (2) incorporation into viral DNA, resulting in eventual termination of viral DNA elongation. Ganciclovir is indicated for the treatment of CMV retinitis in immunocompromised patients, including patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and for the treatment of acute herpetic keratitis.

Ketorolac is a pyrrolizine carboxylic acid derivative structurally related to indomethacin. It is an NSAID and is used principally for its analgesic activity and has been shown to decrease opioid requirements in post-operative patients. It does not affect consciousness or respiration but does have effects on gastric mucosa, renal perfusion, and platelet function. Ketorolac tromethamine ophthalmic solution is sold under brand name acular LS and is indicated for the reduction of ocular pain and burning/stinging following corneal refractive surgery. Ketorolac tromethamine is a racemic mixture of [-]S- and [ ]R-enantiomeric forms, with the S-form having analgesic activity. Its antiinflammatory effects are believed to be due to inhibition of both cylooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and cylooxygenase-2 (COX-2) which leads to the inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis leading to decreased formation of precursors of prostaglandins and thromboxanes from arachidonic acid. The resultant reduction in prostaglandin synthesis and activity may be at least partially responsible for many of the adverse, as well as the therapeutic, effects of these medication. Analgesia is probably produced via a peripheral action in which blockade of pain impulse generation results from decreased prostaglandin activity.

Mupirocin (BACTROBAN®) is an antibiotic from a strain of Pseudomonas fluorescens. It has shown excellent activity against gram-positive staphylococci and streptococci. The antibiotic is used primarily for the treatment of primary and secondary skin disorders, nasal infections, and wound healing. Mupirocin inhibits bacterial protein synthesis by reversibly and specifically binding to bacterial isoleucyltransfer RNA (tRNA) synthetase. It also severely inhibits RNA synthesis. DNA and cell wall peptidoglycan synthesis are inhibited to a lesser extent and interference with these processes is considered to be a secondary effect. Mupirocin is bactericidal at concentrations achieved by topical administration.

Zidovudine is a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) with activity against Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1). Zidovudine is phosphorylated to active metabolites that compete for incorporation into viral DNA. They inhibit the HIV reverse transcriptase enzyme competitively and act as a chain terminator of DNA synthesis. The lack of a 3'-OH group in the incorporated nucleoside analogue prevents the formation of the 5' to 3' phosphodiester linkage essential for DNA chain elongation, and therefore, the viral DNA growth is terminated. Zidovudine, a structural analog of thymidine, is a prodrug that must be phosphorylated to its active 5′-triphosphate metabolite, zidovudine triphosphate (ZDV-TP). It inhibits the activity of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) via DNA chain termination after incorporation of the nucleotide analogue. It competes with the natural substrate dGTP and incorporates itself into viral DNA. It is also a weak inhibitor of cellular DNA polymerase α and γ. Zidovudine is used in combination with other antiretroviral agents for the treatment of human immunovirus (HIV) infections. Zidovudine is marketed as Retrovir.

Mitoxantrone (NOVANTRONE) is a synthetic antineoplastic anthracenedione. Mitoxantrone, a DNA-reactive agent that intercalates into deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) through hydrogen bonding, causes crosslinks and strand breaks. Mitoxantrone also interferes with ribonucleic acid (RNA) and is a potent inhibitor of topoisomerase II, an enzyme responsible for uncoiling and repairing damaged DNA. It has a cytocidal effect on both proliferating and nonproliferating cultured human cells, suggesting lack of cell cycle phase specificity. Mitoxantrone has been shown in vitro to inhibit B cell, T cell, and macrophage proliferation and impair antigen pre sentation, as well as the secretion of interferon gamma, TNFα, and IL-2. NOVANTRONE is indicated for reducing neurologic disability and/or the frequency of clinical relapses in patients with secondary (chronic) progressive, progressive relapsing, or worsening relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (i.e., patients whose neurologic status is significantly abnormal between relapses). NOVANTRONE in combination with corticosteroids is indicated as initial chemotherapy for the treatment of patients with pain related to advanced hormone-refractory prostate cancer. NOVANTRONE in combination with other approved drug(s) is indicated in the initial therapy of acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL) in adults. This category includes myelogenous, promyelocytic, monocytic, and erythroid acute leukemias.

Milrinone, a synthetic dimethylxanthine derivative structurally related to theophylline and caffeine, is used in the treatment of peripheral vascular diseases and in the management of cerebrovascular insufficiency, sickle cell disease, and diabetic neuropathy. Milrinone inhibits erythrocyte phosphodiesterase, resulting in an increase in erythrocyte cAMP activity. Subsequently, the erythrocyte membrane becomes more resistant to deformity. Along with erythrocyte activity, Milrinone also decreases blood viscosity by reducing plasma fibrinogen concentrations and increasing fibrinolytic activity. Milrinone is indicated for the treatment of congestive heart failure. Milrinone was marketed under the brand name Primacor.