Category: Drugs (A – Z)

Pravastatin is a synthetic lipid-lowering agent. Pravastatin competitively inhibits hepatic hydroxymethyl-glutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, the enzyme which catalyzes the conversion of HMG-CoA to mevalonate, a key step in cholesterol synthesis. Pravastatin lowers plasma cholesterol and...

Mevastatin or compactin is a cholesterol-lowering agent isolated from Penicillium citinium. It was the first discovered agent belonging to the class of cholesterol-lowering medications known as statins. During a search...

Fluvastatin is a synthetic lipid-lowering agent with antilipidemic and potential antineoplastic properties. Fluvastatin competitively inhibits hepatic 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, which catalyzes the conversion of HMG-CoA to mevalonate, a key step...

Rosuvastatin is a statin with antilipidemic and potential antineoplastic activities. Rosuvastatin selectively and competitively binds to and inhibits hepatic hydroxymethyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, the enzyme which catalyzes...

Pitavastatin is a relatively newly developed cholesterol lowering agent (statin) that is associated with mild, asymptomatic and self-limited serum aminotransferase elevations during therapy, but has had limited...

Lovastatin is a lactone metabolite isolated from the fungus Aspergillus terreus with cholesterol-lowering and potential antineoplastic activities. Lovastatin is hydrolyzed to the active beta-hydroxy acids form, which competitively...

Atorvastatin is a synthetic lipid-lowering agent. Atorvastatin competitively inhibits hepatic hydroxymethyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, the enzyme which catalyzes the conversion of HMG-CoA to mevalonate, a key step in cholesterol synthesis. Atorvastatin also increases the...

Antacids are over-the-counter medications that help neutralize stomach acid. They work differently from other acid reducers such as H2-receptor blockers or proton pump inhibitors,...

Lansoprazole is a substituted benzimidazole prodrug with selective and irreversible proton pump inhibitor activity. Lansoprazole prodrug is converted to an active sulfonamide derivative in the acidic environment...

Bupropion is an aminoketone antidepressant that is widely used in therapy of depression and smoking cessation. Bupropion therapy can be associated with transient, usually asymptomatic elevations in serum aminotransferase...

Duloxetine is a selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor widely used as an antidepressant and for neuropathic pain. Duloxetine therapy can be associated with transient asymptomatic elevations in serum aminotransferase levels...

Carbamazepine is a tricyclic compound chemically related to tricyclic antidepressants (TCA) with anticonvulsant and analgesic properties. Carbamazepine exerts its anticonvulsant activity by reducing polysynaptic responses and blocking...

Clopidogrel is an inhibitor of platelet aggregation that is used to decrease the risk of myocardial infarction and stroke in patients known to have atherosclerosis. Clopidogrel has...

Captopril is a sulfhydryl-containing analog of proline with antihypertensive activity and potential antineoplastic activity. Captopril competitively inhibits angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), thereby decreasing levels of angiotensin II, increasing plasma renin activity,...

Diltiazem is a benzothiazepine derivative with anti-hypertensive, antiarrhythmic properties. Diltiazem blocks voltage-sensitive calcium channels in the blood vessels, by inhibiting the ion-control gating mechanisms, thereby preventing calcium levels increase by other revenues. Alternatively,...

Telithromycin is a ketolide, a novel form of macrolide antibiotic that is recommended for treatment of community-acquired pneumonia. Telithromycin was approved for use in the United States...

Roxithromycin is a semi-synthetic derivative of the macrolide antibiotic erythromycin that includes an N-oxime side chain on the lactone ring, with antibacterial and anti-malarial activities. Roxithromycin binds to the...

Cethromycin  is a ketolide antibiotic undergoing research for the treatment of community acquired pneumonia (CAP) and for the prevention of post-exposure inhalational anthrax, and...

Clarithromycin is a semisynthetic 14-membered ring macrolide antibiotic. Clarithromycin binds to the 50S ribosomal subunit and inhibits RNA-dependent protein synthesis in susceptible organisms. Clarithromycin has been shown to eradicate...