Lifitegrast (under brand name Xiidra) was approved as an ophthalmic solution for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease. Lifitegrast binds to the integrin lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1); a cell surface protein found on leukocytes and blocks the interaction of LFA-1 with its cognate ligand intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). This LFA-1/ICAM-1 interaction is a key step in the inflammatory cascade that contributes to dry eye disease. Besides lifitegrast participates in phase II clinical trials for prevention of the signs and symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis.

Alcaftadine is a broad-spectrum antihistamine displaying a high affinity for histamine H1 and H2 receptors and a lower affinity for H4 receptors. It also exhibits modulatory action on immune cell recruitment and mast cell stabilizing effects. Alcaftadine is an inhibitor of the release of histamine from mast cells. Decreased chemotaxis and inhibition of eosinophil activation has also been demonstrated. LASTACAFT® (alcaftadine ophthalmic solution) indicated for the prevention of itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis.

Besifloxacin (INN/USAN) is a fourth-generation fluoroquinolone antibiotic. The marketed compound is Besifloxacin hydrochloride. It was developed by SSP Co. Ltd., Japan, and designated SS734. SSP licensed U.S. and European rights to SS734 for ophthalmic use to InSite Vision Incorporated in 2000. InSite Vision developed an eye drop formulation (ISV-403) and conducted preliminary clinical trials before selling the product and all rights to Bausch & Lomb in 2003. Besifloxacin is indicated in the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis caused by sensitive germs, as well as in the prevention of infectious complications in patients undergoing laser therapy for the treatment of cataracts. Besifloxacin inhibits bacterial DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV and has a broad spectrum of bactericidal activity against strains commonly isolated from patients with bacterial conjunctivitis. In addition, some exploratory in vitro data suggest that Besifloxacin inhibits cytokine formation in human corneal epithelial cells and monocytes, but the relevance of this finding to therapeutic efficacy is unknown.

Epinastine (brand names Alesion, Elestat, Purivist, Relestat) is a second-generation antihistamine and mast cell stabilizer. Epinastine is a topically active, direct H1-receptor antagonist and an inhibitor of the release of histamine from the mast cell. Epinastine is selective for the histamine H1-receptor and has affinity for the histamine H2 receptor. Epinastine also possesses affinity for the α1-, α2-, and 5-HT2 –receptors. Epinastine does not penetrate the blood/brain barrier and, therefore, is not expected to induce side effects of the central nervous system. Elestat ophthalmic solution is indicated for the prevention of itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis.

Bimatoprost (marketed in the US, Canada and Europe by Allergan, under the trade name Lumigan) ophthalmic solution is a topical medication used for controlling the progression of glaucoma or ocular hypertension, by reducing intraocular pressure. It is a prostaglandin analogue that works by increasing the outflow of aqueous fluid from the eyes. It binds to the prostanoid FP receptor. It selectively mimics the effects of naturally occurring substances, prostamides. Bimatoprost is believed to lower intraocular pressure (IOP) in humans by increasing outflow of aqueous humor through both the trabecular meshwork and uveoscleral routes. Elevated IOP presents a major risk factor for glaucomatous field loss. The higher the level of IOP, the greater the likelihood of optic nerve damage and visual field loss. Bimatoprost is the major circulating species in the blood once it reaches the systemic circulation following ocular dosing. Bimatoprost then undergoes oxidation, N-deethylation and glucuronidation to form a diverse variety of metabolites. In human blood, bimatoprost resides mainly in the plasma. Approximately 12% of bimatoprost remains unbound in human plasma.

Moxifloxacin is a synthetic antibacterial agent developed by Bayer AG (initially called BAY 12-8039) for oral and intravenous administration. Moxifloxacin, a fluoroquinolone, is available as the monohydrochloride salt of 1-cyclopropyl-7-[(S,S)-2,8diazabicyclo[4.3.0]non-8-yl]-6-fluoro-8-methoxy-1,4-dihydro-4-oxo-3 quinoline carboxylic acid. Moxifloxacin is marketed worldwide (as the hydrochloride) under the brand names Avelox, Avalox, and Avalon for oral treatment. In most countries, the drug is also available in the parenteral form for intravenous infusion. Moxifloxacin is also sold in an ophthalmic solution (eye drops) under the brand names Vigamox, and Moxeza for the treatment of conjunctivitis (pink eye). Its antibacterial spectrum includes enteric Gram-(−) rods (Escherichia coli, Proteus species, Klebsiella species), Haemophilus influenzae, atypical bacteria (Mycoplasma, Chlamydia, Legionella), and Streptococcus pneumoniae, and anaerobic bacteria. It differs from earlier antibacterials of the fluoroquinolone class such as levofloxacin and ciprofloxacin in having greater activity against Gram-positive bacteria and anaerobes.

Sirolimus is the USAN-assigned generic name for the natural product rapamycin. Sirolimus is produced by a strain of Streptomyces hygroscopicus, isolated from a soil sample collected from Rapa Nui commonly known as Easter Island. Although sirolimus was isolated as an antifungal agent with potent anticandida activity, subsequent studies revealed impressive antitumor and immunosuppressive activities. Sirolimus demonstrates activity against several murine tumors, such as B16 43 melanocarcinoma, Colon 26 tumor, EM ependymoblastoma, and mammary and colon 38 solid tumors. Demonstration of the potent immunosuppressive activity of sirolimus in animal models of organ transplantation led to clinical trials and subsequent approval by regulatory authorities for prophylaxis of renal graft rejection. Interest in sirolimus as an immunosuppressive therapy in organ transplantation derives from its unique mechanism of action, its unique side-effect profile, and its ability to synergize with other immunosuppressive agents. It is used in medicine to prevent organ transplant rejection and to treat lymphangioleiomyomatosis. Sirolimus inhibits T-lymphocyte activation and proliferation that occurs in response to antigenic and cytokine (Interleukin [IL]-2, IL-4, and IL-15) stimulation by a mechanism that is distinct from that of other immunosuppressants. Sirolimus also inhibits antibody production. In cells, sirolimus binds to the immunophilin, FK Binding Protein-12 (FKBP-12), to generate an immunosuppressive complex. This complex blocks the activation of the cell-cycle-specific kinase, TOR. The downstream events that follow the inactivation of TOR result in the blockage of cell-cycle progression at the juncture of G1 and S phase. Rapamycin/FKBP12 efficiently inhibit some, but not all, functions of mTOR and hence much interest has been placed in the development of drugs that target the kinase activity of mTOR directly. Studies in experimental models show that sirolimus prolongs allograft (kidney, heart, skin, islet, small bowel, pancreatico-duodenal, and bone marrow) survival in mice, rats, pigs, and/or primates. Sirolimus reverses acute rejection of heart and kidney allografts in rats and prolongs the graft survival in presensitized rats. In some studies, the immunosuppressive effect of sirolimus lasts up to 6 months after discontinuation of therapy. This tolerization effect is alloantigen-specific. In rodent models of autoimmune disease, sirolimus suppresses immune-mediated events associated with systemic lupus erythematosus, collagen-induced arthritis, autoimmune type I diabetes, autoimmune myocarditis, experimental allergic encephalomyelitis, graft-versus-host disease, and autoimmune uveoretinitis. Lymphangioleiomyomatosis involves lung tissue infiltration with smooth muscle-like cells that harbor inactivating mutations of the tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) gene (LAM cells). Loss of TSC gene function activates the mTOR signaling pathway, resulting in cellular proliferation and release of lymphangiogenic growth factors. Sirolimus inhibits the activated mTOR pathway and thus the proliferation of LAM cells.

Gatifloxacin is a recently developed antibacterial agent differing from earlier fluoroquinolones by the presence of a methoxy group at the C-8 position. The presence of the methoxy group has conferred improved antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms, making gatifloxacin a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent applicable in many clinical settings. Gatifloxacin is sold under the brand Zymar and is indicated for the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis caused by susceptible strains of the following organisms: Aerobic Gram-Positive Bacteria: Cornyebacterium propinquum, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus mitis, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Aerobic Gram-Negative Bacteria: Haemophilus influenza. The antibacterial action depends on blocking of bacterial DNA replication by binding itself to an enzyme called DNA gyrase, which allows the untwisting required to replicate one DNA double helix into two. Notably the drug has 100 times higher affinity for bacterial DNA gyrase than for mammalian. In addition, Gatifloxacin inhibits bacterial topoisomerase IV. This enzyme is an enzyme known to play a key role in the partitioning of the chromosomal DNA during bacterial cell division. The mechanism of action of fluoroquinolones including gatifloxacin is different from that of aminoglycoside, macrolide, and tetracycline antibiotics. Therefore, gatifloxacin may be active against pathogens that are resistant to these antibiotics and these antibiotics may be active against pathogens that are resistant to gatifloxacin. There is no cross-resistance between gatifloxacin and the aforementioned classes of antibiotics. Cross-resistance has been observed between systemic gatifloxacin and some other fluoroquinolones.

Ketotifen is a cycloheptathiophene blocker of histamine H1 receptors and release of inflammatory mediators. It has been proposed for the treatment of asthma, rhinitis, skin allergies, and anaphylaxis. Ketotifen was developed in 1970 by Sandoz Pharmaceuticals of Switzerland. It is a benzocycloheptathiophene derivative and was initially marketed as an inhibitor of anaphylaxis. The pharmacodynamic properties of ketotifen are many, because it is an inhibitor of the release and/or activity of mast cell and basophil mediators, including histamine, neutrophil, and eosinophil chemotactic factors, arachidonic acid metabolites, prostaglandins, and leukotrienes. Properties of ketotifen which may contribute to its antiallergic activity and its ability to affect the underlying pathology of asthma include inhibition of the development of airway hyper-reactivity associated with activation of platelets by PAF (Platelet Activating Factor), inhibition of PAF-induced accumulation of eosinophils and platelets in the airways, suppression of the priming of eosinophils by human recombinant cytokines and antagonism of bronchoconstriction due to leukotrienes. Ketotifen is marketed under many brand names worldwide. Ketotifen inhibits the release of mediators from mast cells involved in hypersensitivity reactions. Decreased chemotaxis and activation of eosinophils have also been demonstrated. Ketotifen also inhibits cAMP phosphodiesterase.

Brimonidine reduces the amount of fluid in the eye, which decreases pressure inside the eye. Brimonidine ophthalmic (for the eyes) is used to treat open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension (high pressure inside the eye). Brimonidine is an alpha adrenergic receptor agonist (primarily alpha-2). Fluorophotometric studies in animals and humans suggest that Brimonidine has a dual mechanism of action by reducing aqueous humor production and increasing uveoscleral outflow. Adverse reactions occurring in approximately 10­20% of the subjects receiving brimonidine ophthalmic solution (0.1-0.2%) included: allergic conjunctivitis, conjunctival hyperemia, and eye pruritus. Because Brimonidine may reduce blood pressure, caution in using drugs such as antihypertensives and/or cardiac glycosides with Brimonidine is advised.