Clomid (Clomiphene) is a medication that hit the market in the 1960s for the treatment of oligomenorrhea (light or infrequent menstrual periods). After its approval, medical practitioners discovered that utilization of Clomid for oligomenorrhea increased odds of fertility, principally via induction of ovulation. This finding spurred an investigation of Clomid as a potential treatment for …
Niacin (Vitamin B3), also known as “nicotinic acid,” is a colorless, hydrophilic derivative of pyridine and an essential dietary nutrient for humans. Inadequate dietary intake of niacin is the root cause of a medical condition known as “pellagra,” characterized by a host of neuropsychiatric symptoms including: anxiety, amnesia, brain fog, cognitive impairment, delirium, depression, and …
NyQuil is a popular over-the-counter medication sold under the brand “Vicks” utilized to treat symptoms of the common cold, influenza, and allergies – all while simultaneously enhancing sleep and/or without sleep disruption. The name “NyQuil” is a portmanteau of the words “night” and “tranquil,” effectively reminding consumers that it is intended for nighttime usage and …
Aniracetam is a drug of the “racetam” chemical classification that was initially developed in the 1970s by pharmaceutical company Hoffman-La Roche. Chemically, aniracetam is synthesized via reaction of 2-pyrrolidone with anisoyl chloride in the presence of triethylamine; hence it is sometimes referred to as “N-anisoyl-2-pyrrolidinone.” When administered to humans and animals, aniracetam functions via allosterically …
Nortriptyline (brand name “Pamelor”) is considered the chief pharmacologically active metabolite of the chemical amitriptyline, a tricyclic antidepressant derived from dibenzocycloheptene. Formation of nortriptyline occurs upon hepatic oxidative N-demethylation of amitriptyline via CYP2D6 and CYP2C19 isoenzymes. In the early 1960s, researchers realized a significant portion of amitriptyline’s antidepressant effects resulted from the formation of its …
Amitriptyline (brand name “Elavil”) is a drug derived from the chemical dibenzocycloheptadiene that was discovered and approved in the early 1960s for the treatment of major depression. It is formally classified as a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) and functions principally via inhibiting the presynaptic reuptake of norepinephrine and serotonin. This effect of dual presynaptic reuptake inhibition …
Opana (Oxymorphone) is a brand name semi-synthetic opioid medication manufactured by Endo Pharmaceuticals primarily for the treatment of moderate to severe pain. In addition to its usage for pain management, Opana is sometimes administered as an adjunct for the maintenance of preoperative anesthesia. The active ingredient within Opana known as “oxymorphone,” is produced from thebaine, …