Introduction/Overview Ondansetron represents a cornerstone agent in the therapeutic management of nausea and vomiting. Its development marked a significant advancement in supportive care, particularly within oncology, by effectively addressing a dose-limiting and profoundly distressing side effect of cytotoxic chemotherapy and radiotherapy. As a selective antagonist of the serotonin 5-hydroxytryptamine type 3 (5-HT3) receptor, ondansetron exerts … Read more
Introduction/Overview Ranitidine is a prototypical histamine H2 receptor antagonist (H2RA) that revolutionized the medical management of acid-peptic disorders following its introduction in the early 1980s. As a competitive inhibitor of histamine at the parietal cell H2 receptor, it provides a potent and selective means of suppressing gastric acid secretion. The development of ranitidine represented a … Read more
Introduction/Overview Omeprazole represents a cornerstone in the therapeutic management of acid-related disorders, fundamentally altering treatment paradigms since its introduction. As the first proton pump inhibitor (PPI) to be developed and clinically deployed, it serves as the prototypical agent for a class of drugs that produce profound and sustained gastric acid suppression. The clinical relevance of … Read more
1. Introduction/Overview Oxytocin is a nonapeptide hormone and neurotransmitter with profound physiological significance in mammalian reproduction and social behavior. Synthesized in the hypothalamus and secreted by the posterior pituitary gland, its primary endogenous roles are the stimulation of uterine contractions during parturition and the ejection of milk during lactation. The therapeutic application of synthetic oxytocin … Read more
Introduction/Overview Progesterone, a critical endogenous steroid hormone, plays a fundamental role in the regulation of the female reproductive system and pregnancy. Its pharmacological applications extend far beyond simple hormone replacement, encompassing areas such as contraception, fertility treatment, and the management of gynecological disorders. The clinical relevance of progesterone and its synthetic analogs, collectively termed progestins, … Read more
1. Introduction/Overview Estrogens represent a critical class of steroid hormones with extensive physiological roles and therapeutic applications. Primarily known for their function in the development and regulation of the female reproductive system and secondary sexual characteristics, estrogens also exert significant effects on the cardiovascular, skeletal, nervous, and integumentary systems. The clinical pharmacology of estrogen encompasses … Read more
Introduction/Overview Dexamethasone is a potent synthetic glucocorticoid, a cornerstone agent in the therapeutic arsenal for managing a wide spectrum of inflammatory, autoimmune, allergic, and neoplastic conditions. As a member of the corticosteroid class, its clinical utility stems from its profound anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties, which significantly exceed those of the endogenous hormone cortisol. The introduction … Read more
1. Introduction/Overview Prednisolone is a synthetic glucocorticoid of paramount clinical significance, representing a cornerstone in the therapeutic management of a diverse spectrum of inflammatory, autoimmune, allergic, and neoplastic disorders. As an active metabolite of prednisone, it exerts potent anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects, making it one of the most widely prescribed medications globally. The clinical utility … Read more
Introduction/Overview Hydrocortisone, also known as cortisol, represents the primary endogenous glucocorticoid hormone secreted by the zona fasciculata of the adrenal cortex. As a pharmaceutical agent, it serves both as replacement therapy in deficiency states and as an anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive drug. Its pharmacology is fundamental to understanding both endocrine physiology and the therapeutic application of … Read more
Introduction/Overview Propylthiouracil (PTU) is a thiourea-derivative antithyroid medication that has been a cornerstone in the management of hyperthyroidism for over seven decades. As a member of the thioamide class, it functions primarily by inhibiting the synthesis of thyroid hormones, thereby reducing the metabolic burden of thyrotoxicosis. The clinical relevance of propylthiouracil persists despite the development … Read more