Category
page 1Abandoned drugs

diethylstilbestrol
Diethylstilbestrol (DES), also known as stilbestrol or stilboestrol, is a nonsteroidal estrogen medication. Its use now rare; in the past, it was widely used for a variety of indications, including pregnancy support for those with a history of recurrent miscarriage, hormone therapy for menopausal symptoms and estrogen deficiency, treatment of prostate cancer and breast cancer, and other uses. By 2007, it was only used in the treatment of prostate cancer and breast cancer. In 2011, Hoover and colleagues reported adverse reproductive health outcomes linked to DES, including infertility, miscarri
oxprenolol
Oxprenolol, sold under the brand name Trasicor among others, is a non-selective beta blocker with some intrinsic sympathomimetic activity. It is used for the treatment of angina pectoris, abnormal heart rhythms, and high blood pressure.

delavirdine
Delavirdine (DLV) (brand name Rescriptor) is a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) that was marketed by ViiV Healthcare. It was used as part of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for the treatment of HIV-1 in the late 1990s and early 2000s. It is presented as the mesylate. The recommended dosage is 400 mg (as four 100-mg tablets or two 200-mg tablets) three times a day.

glutethimide
Glutethimide (brand names included Doriden, Elrodorm, and Noxyron) is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant drug of the piperidine chemical class, one of many non-barbiturate, "barbiturate-like" GABAergic medications exhibiting general calming, relaxing, or "tranquilizing" properties in addition to relieving anxiety and promoting sleep. As such, "nerve pills" or "sleeping pills" were common vernacular descriptions of these types of medications.
zalcitabine
Zalcitabine (2′-3′-dideoxycytidine, ddC), also called dideoxycytidine, is a nucleoside analog reverse-transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) sold under the trade name Hivid. Zalcitabine was the third antiretroviral to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of HIV/AIDS. It is used as part of a combination regimen.
medroxyprogesterone
Medroxyprogesterone (MP), is a progestin which is not used medically. A derivative, medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), is used as a medication in humans, and is far more widely known in comparison. Medroxyprogesterone is sometimes used as a synonym for medroxyprogesterone acetate, and what is almost always being referred to when the term is used is MPA and not medroxyprogesterone.

Nalorphine
Nalorphine (; also known as '''N-allylnormorphine; brand names Lethidrone and Nalline''') is a mixed opioid agonist–antagonist with opioid antagonist and analgesic properties. It was introduced in 1954 and was used as an antidote to reverse opioid overdose and in a challenge test to determine opioid dependence.
(RS)-aminoglutethimide
Aminoglutethimide (AG), sold under the brand names Elipten, Cytadren, and Orimeten among others, is a medication which has been used in the treatment of seizures, Cushing's syndrome, breast cancer, and prostate cancer, among other indications. It has also been used by bodybuilders, athletes, and other men for muscle-building and performance- and physique-enhancing purposes. AG is taken by mouth three or four times per day.

(+)-epibatidine
Epibatidine is a chlorinated alkaloid that is secreted by the Ecuadorian frog Epipedobates anthonyi and poison dart frogs from the genus Ameerega. It was discovered by John W. Daly in 1974, but its structure was not fully elucidated until 1992. Whether epibatidine occurs naturally remains controversial due to challenges in conclusively identifying the compound from the limited samples collected by Daly. By the time that high-resolution spectrometry was used in 1991, there remained less than one milligram of extract from Daly's samples, raising concerns about possible contamination. Samples fro
bevantolol
Bevantolol (INN) was a drug candidate for angina and hypertension that acted as both a beta blocker and a calcium channel blocker. It was discovered and developed by Warner-Lambert but in January 1989 the company announced that it had withdrawn the New Drug Application; the company's chairman said: "Who needs the 30th beta blocker?" it wasn't marketed in the US, UK, or Europe and the authors of a Cochrane review could find no product monograph for it.

amprenavir
Amprenavir (original brand name Agenerase, GlaxoSmithKline) is a protease inhibitor used to treat HIV infection. It was approved by the Food and Drug Administration on April 15, 1999, for twice-a-day dosing instead of needing to be taken every eight hours. The convenient dosing came at a price, as the dose required is 1,200 mg, delivered in eight very large 150 mg gel capsules or twenty-four 50 mg gel capsules, twice daily.
MT-II
chemical compound
sulfapyridine
Sulfapyridine (INN; also known as sulphapyridine) is a sulfanilamide antibacterial medication. At one time, it was commonly referred to as M&B 693. Sulfapyridine is no longer prescribed for treatment of infections in humans. However, it may be used to treat linear IgA disease and has use in veterinary medicine. It is a good antibacterial drug, but its water solubility is very pH dependent. Thus there is a risk of crystallization within the bladder or urethra, which could lead to pain or blockage. As with other sulfonamides, there is a significant risk of agranulocytosis, and this, rather than
cyproterone
Cyproterone, also known by its developmental code name SH-80881, is a steroidal antiandrogen which was studied in the 1960s and 1970s but was never introduced for medical use. It is a precursor of cyproterone acetate (CPA), an antiandrogen, progestin, and antigonadotropin which was introduced instead of cyproterone and is widely used as a medication. Cyproterone and CPA were among the first antiandrogens to be developed.
meparfynol
Methylpentynol (also known as methylparafynol, trade names Dormison, Atemorin, Oblivon) is a tertiary pentynol with hypnotic/sedative and anticonvulsant effects and an exceptionally low therapeutic index. It was discovered by Bayer in 1913 and was used shortly thereafter for the treatment of insomnia, but its use was quickly phased out in response to newer drugs with far more favorable safety profiles.

pleconaril
Pleconaril (Picovir) is an antiviral drug that was being developed by Schering-Plough for prevention of asthma exacerbations and common cold symptoms in patients exposed to picornavirus respiratory infections. Pleconaril, administered either orally or intranasally, is active against viruses in the Picornaviridae family, including Enterovirus and Rhinovirus. It has shown useful activity against the dangerous enterovirus D68.
Dienestrol (unspecified)
Dienestrol (, ) (brand names Dienoestrol, Denestrolin, Dienol and many others), also known as dienoestrol (), is a synthetic nonsteroidal estrogen medication of the stilbestrol group which is or was used to treat menopausal symptoms in the United States and Europe. It has been studied for use by rectal administration in the treatment of prostate cancer in men as well. The medication was introduced in the U.S. in 1947 by Schering as Synestrol and in France in 1948 as Cycladiene. Dienestrol is a close analogue of diethylstilbestrol. It has approximately 223% and 404% of the affinity of estradiol
theralizumab
Theralizumab (also known as TGN1412, CD28-SuperMAB, and TAB08) is an immunomodulatory drug developed by immunologist of the University of Würzburg. It was withdrawn from development after inducing severe inflammatory reactions as well as chronic organ failure in the first-in-human study by Parexel in London in March 2006. The developing company, TeGenero Immuno Therapeutics (), a spin-off of the University of Würzburg around immunologist Thomas Hünig, co-founder and chief scientific officer (CSO) Thomas Hanke and chief executive officer (CEO) Benedikte Hatz went bankrupt later that year. The c
ritodrine
Ritodrine, formerly sold under the brand name Yutopar among others, is a tocolytic drug used to stop premature labor. It was withdrawn from the US market, according to the FDA Orange Book. It was available in oral tablets or as an injection and was typically used as the hydrochloride salt.
estramustine
Estramustine (, , ) is an estrogen and cytostatic antineoplastic agent which was never marketed. It is a carbamate derivative of estradiol and acts in part as a prodrug of estradiol in the body. Estramustine phosphate, the C17β phosphate ester of estramustine and a prodrug of estramustine, estromustine, estradiol, and estrone, is marketed and used in the treatment of prostate cancer.
==Synthesis==
Estramustine is a carbamate derivative of the natural hormone, estradiol. The amine is treated with phosgene to give the acid chloride of normustine. This reacts with the phenolic hydroxyl group of e

2-chlorodiazepam
Diclazepam (Ro5-3448), also known as chlorodiazepam and '''2'-chloro-diazepam''', is a benzodiazepine and functional analog of diazepam. It was first synthesized by Leo Sternbach and his team at Hoffman-La Roche in 1960. It is not currently approved for use as a medication, but rather sold as an unscheduled substance. Efficacy and safety have not been tested in humans.
iprindole
Iprindole, sold under the brand names Prondol, Galatur, and Tertran, is an atypical tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) that has been used in the United Kingdom and Ireland for the treatment of depression but appears to no longer be marketed. It was developed by Wyeth and was marketed in 1967. The drug has been described by some as the first "second-generation" antidepressant to be introduced. However, it was very little-used compared to other TCAs, with the number of prescriptions dispensed only in the thousands.
metitepine
Metitepine (; developmental code names Ro 8-6837 (maleate), VUFB-6276 (mesylate)), also known as methiothepin, is a drug described as a "psychotropic agent" of the tricyclic or tetracyclic group which was never marketed.
moperone
Moperone (Luvatren, since discontinued) is a typical antipsychotic of the butyrophenone class which is marketed in Japan for the treatment of schizophrenia. It is an antagonist for the D2 (Ki 0.7–1.9 nM), D3 (Ki 0.1–1 nM), and 5-HT2A (Ki 52 nM) receptors. It also has a high binding affinity for the sigma receptors.
ximelagatran
Ximelagatran (Exanta or Exarta, H 376/95) is an anticoagulant that has been investigated extensively as a replacement for warfarin that would overcome the problematic dietary, drug interaction, and monitoring issues associated with warfarin therapy. In 2006, its manufacturer AstraZeneca announced that it would withdraw pending applications for marketing approval after reports of hepatotoxicity (liver damage) during trials, and discontinue its distribution in countries where the drug had been approved (Germany, Portugal, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Iceland, Austria, Denmark, France, Switzerland, A
metribolone
Metribolone (developmental code R1881, also known as methyltrienolone) is a synthetic and orally active anabolic–androgenic steroid (AAS) and a 17α-alkylated nandrolone (19-nortestosterone) derivative which was never marketed for medical use but has been widely used in scientific research as a hot ligand in androgen receptor (AR) ligand binding assays (LBAs) and as a photoaffinity label for the AR. More precisely, metribolone is the 17α-methylated derivative of trenbolone. It was investigated briefly for the treatment of advanced breast cancer in women in the late 1960s and early 1970s, but wa
methallenestril
Methallenestril () (brand names Cur-men, Ercostrol, Geklimon, Novestrine, Vallestril), also known as methallenoestril () and as methallenestrol, as well as '''Horeau's acid, is a synthetic nonsteroidal estrogen and a derivative of allenolic acid and allenestrol (specifically, a methyl ether of it) that was formerly used to treat menstrual issues but is now no longer marketed. It is a seco-analogue of bisdehydrodoisynolic acid, and although methallenestril is potently estrogenic in rats, in humans it is only weakly so in comparison. Vallestril''' was a brand of methallenestril issued by G. D. S
torcetrapib
Torcetrapib (CP-529,414, Pfizer) was a drug being developed to treat hypercholesterolemia (elevated cholesterol levels) and prevent cardiovascular disease. Its development was halted in 2006 when phase III studies showed excessive all-cause mortality in the treatment group receiving a combination of atorvastatin (Lipitor) and torcetrapib.
etoperidone
Etoperidone, associated with several brand names, is an atypical antidepressant which was developed in the 1970s and either is no longer marketed or was never marketed. It is a phenylpiperazine related to trazodone and nefazodone in chemical structure and is a serotonin antagonist and reuptake inhibitor (SARI) similarly to them.
GW-501516
GW501516 (also known as GW-501,516, GW1516, GSK-516, cardarine, and on the black market as endurobol) is a PPARδ receptor agonist that was invented in a collaboration between Ligand Pharmaceuticals and GlaxoSmithKline in the 1990s. It entered into clinical development as a drug candidate for metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, but was abandoned in 2007 because animal testing showed that the drug caused cancer to develop rapidly in several organs.
butriptyline
Butriptyline, sold under the brand name Evadyne among others, is a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) that has been used in the United Kingdom and several other European countries for the treatment of depression but appears to no longer be marketed. Along with trimipramine, iprindole, and amoxapine, it has been described as an "atypical" or "second-generation" TCA due to its relatively late introduction and atypical pharmacology. It was very little-used compared to other TCAs, with the number of prescriptions dispensed only in the thousands.
Ariadne
chemical compound
Vishnevsky liniment
Russian balsamic liniment
rolipram
Rolipram is a selective phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor discovered and developed by Schering AG as a potential antidepressant drug in the early 1990s. It served as a prototype molecule for several companies' drug discovery and development efforts. Rolipram was discontinued after clinical trials showed that its therapeutic window was too narrow; it could not be dosed at high enough levels to be effective without causing significant gastrointestinal side effects.
anacetrapib
Anacetrapib is a CETP inhibitor which was being developed to treat elevated cholesterol levels in an effort to prevent cardiovascular disease. In 2017 its development was abandoned by Merck.
AUT-00063
AUT00063 (also called AUT-00063) is an investigational small-molecule compound developed by Autifony Therapeutics for hearing loss and tinnitus.
emivirine
Emivirine (MKC-442) is a failed experimental agent for the treatment of HIV. It is a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor. While emivirine showed promising antiviral activity in vitro, it failed to show sufficient efficacy in human trials. However it is still notable as an early proof of concept, which led to the discovery of a number of related antiviral drugs.
difemetorex
Difemetorex (INN) or diphemethoxidine (USAN) is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant drug introduced in France in 1966 by the pharmaceutical company, Ciba-Geigy; it was briefly used as an appetite suppressant and weight loss aid into the early 1970s, sold under the brand name Cleofil. A member of the piperidine chemical class, difemetorex was described as having such a disruptive and intolerable side effect of insomnia that patient drug compliance suffered and frequency of clinical use decreased, resulting in withdrawal from the market and cessation of production, availability, accessibili
(RS)-4-hydroxyamphetamine
Hydroxyamphetamine, also known as 4-hydroxyamphetamine or norpholedrine and sold under the brand names Paredrine and Paremyd among others, is a sympathomimetic medication used in eye drops to dilate the pupil for eye examinations.
odanacatib
Odanacatib (INN; codenamed MK-0822) is an investigational treatment for osteoporosis and bone metastasis. It is an inhibitor of cathepsin K, an enzyme involved in bone resorption.
methandriol
Methandriol (brand names Anabol, Crestabolic, Cytobolin, Diandren, Durabolic, Madiol, Mestenediol, Methabolic, Methydiol, Sterabolic, Stenediol), also known as methylandrostenediol, is an androgen and anabolic steroid (AAS) medication which was developed by Organon and is used in both oral and injectable (as methandriol dipropionate, methandriol propionate, or methandriol bisenanthoyl acetate) formulations. It is an orally active 17α-alkylated AAS and a derivative of the endogenous androgen prohormone androstenediol.
demegestone
Demegestone, sold under the brand name Lutionex, is a progestin medication which was previously used to treat luteal insufficiency but is now no longer marketed. It is taken by mouth.
alaproclate
Alaproclate (developmental code name GEA-654) is a drug that was being developed as an antidepressant by the Swedish pharmaceutical company Astra AB (now AstraZeneca) in the 1970s.
cianopramine
Cianopramine (INN; development code Ro 11-2465; also known as 3-cyanoimipramine) is a tricyclic antidepressant related to imipramine that acts as a serotonin reuptake inhibitor and weak serotonin receptor antagonist. It was investigated for the treatment of depression but was never marketed.
moricizine
Moracizine or moricizine, sold under the trade name Ethmozine, is an antiarrhythmic of class IC. It was used for the prophylaxis and treatment of serious and life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias, but was withdrawn in 2007 for commercial reasons.
premazepam
Premazepam is a drug in the pyrrolodiazepine class. It is a partial agonist of benzodiazepine receptors and was shown in 1984 to possess both anxiolytic and sedative properties in humans but was never marketed.
fenobam
Fenobam is an imidazole derivative developed by McNeil Laboratories in the late 1970s as a novel anxiolytic drug with an at-the-time-unidentified molecular target in the brain. Subsequently, it was determined that fenobam acts as a potent and selective negative allosteric modulator of the metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype mGluR5, and it has been used as a lead compound for the development of a range of newer mGluR5 antagonists.
gaboxadol
Gaboxadol, also known as 4,5,6,7-tetrahydroisoxazolo(5,4-c)pyridin-3-ol (THIP) and by its former developmental code names Lu-2-030, MK-0928, and OV101, is a GABAA receptor agonist related to muscimol which was investigated for the treatment of insomnia and other conditions like Angelman syndrome but was never marketed. At lower doses, the drug has sedative and hypnotic effects, and at higher doses, it produces hallucinogenic effects. It is taken orally.
ezlopitant
Ezlopitant (INN, code name CJ-11,974) is an NK1 receptor antagonist. It has antiemetic and antinociceptive effects. Pfizer was developing ezlopitant for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome but it appears to have been discontinued.
nomegestrol
Nomegestrol (), also known as 19-normegestrol, is a steroidal progestin which was patented in 1975 but was never marketed. It is the parent compound of nomegestrol acetate, which is marketed as a progestin.
p-chloroamphetamine
'''para-Chloroamphetamine (PCA), also known as 4-chloroamphetamine (4-CA'''), is a serotonin–norepinephrine–dopamine releasing agent (SNDRA) and serotonergic neurotoxin of the amphetamine family. It is used in scientific research in the study of the serotonin system, as a serotonin releasing agent (SRA) at lower doses to produce serotonergic effects, and as a serotonergic neurotoxin at higher doses to produce long-lasting depletions of serotonin.
talampanel
Talampanel (INN; development codes GYKI 537773 and LY300164) is a drug which has been investigated for the treatment of epilepsy, malignant gliomas, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
moxestrol
Moxestrol, sold under the brand name Surestryl, is an estrogen medication which has been used in Europe for the treatment of menopausal symptoms and menstrual disorders. It is taken by mouth. In addition to its use as a medication, moxestrol has been used in scientific research as a radioligand of the estrogen receptor.
spiroxatrine
Spiroxatrine (Spiroxamide, R5188) is a drug which acts as a selective antagonist at both the 5-HT1A receptor and the α2C adrenergic receptor. It is an analog of spiperone and also has some dopamine antagonist effects and a relatively weak opioid action.
oxyfedrine
Oxyfedrine, sold under the brand names Ildamen and Myofedrin among others, is a sympathomimetic agent and coronary vasodilator which is used in the treatment of coronary heart disease, angina pectoris, and acute myocardial infarction. It is taken by mouth or intravenously.
chlorotrianisene
Chlorotrianisene (CTA), also known as 'tri-p-anisylchloroethylene (TACE) and sold under the brand name Tace' among others, is a nonsteroidal estrogen related to diethylstilbestrol (DES) which was previously used in the treatment of menopausal symptoms and estrogen deficiency in women and prostate cancer in men, among other indications, but has since been discontinued and is now no longer available. It is taken by mouth.
oxypertine
Oxypertine, sold under the brand name Oxypertine among others, is an antipsychotic medication of the pertine group which was previously used in the treatment of schizophrenia but is no longer marketed. It was also evaluated for the treatment of anxiety.
cinazepam
Nalobrazepam (), also known as cinazepam or BD-798 and sold under the brand name Levana, is an atypical benzodiazepine derivative.
tarenflurbil
Tarenflurbil, Flurizan or '''R-flurbiprofen''', is a single enantiomer of the racemate NSAID flurbiprofen. For several years, research and trials for the drug were conducted by Myriad Genetics, to investigate its potential as a treatment for Alzheimer's disease; that investigation concluded in June 2008 when the company announced it would discontinue development of the compound.
benproperine
Benproperine (INN) is a cough suppressant. It has been marketed in multiple countries in Central America and Europe, as the phosphate or pamoate salts in either tablet, dragée, or syrup form. Trade names include Blascorid in Italy and Sweden, Pectipront and Tussafug in Germany, and Pirexyl in Scandinavia. The recommended dosage for adults is 25 to 50 mg two to four times daily, and for children 25 mg once or twice daily. Adverse effects include dry mouth, dizziness, fatigue, and heartburn.