Exenatide Acetate

A 39-amino acid peptide originally isolated from the salivary glands of the Gila monster (Heloderma suspectum), differs from exendin-3 only in two positions close to the N-terminus. Application of exenatide causes an increase in acinar cAMP without stimulating amylase release. As an incretin mimetic, exenatide acts as agonist of the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor.

Terlipressin

Terlipressin is a synthetic triglycyllysine derivative of vasopressin with vasoconstrictive, antihemorrhagic, and antidiuretic properties. Upon intravenous administration, terlipressin, an inactive prodrug, is biotransformed to its active moiety, lysine vasopressin (LVP), a nonselective vasopressin analogue with affinity for vasopressin receptors V1 (V1a), V2 and V3 (V1b). As a V1 agonist, terlipressin increases systemic vascular resistance, particularly in the splanchnic area, resulting in a decrease of portal pressure. V1 binding also promotes platelet aggregation and glycogenolysis, while V3 binding induces adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) secretion. Compared to vasopressin, terlipressin has a minimal effect on V2 receptors, which are responsible for promotion of water reabsorption in the collecting ducts of the kidney via stimulation of cyclic AMP production.

Atosiban

Atosiban is a nonapeptide, desamino-oxytocin analogue, and a competitive vasopressin/oxytocin receptor antagonist (VOTra). Atosiban is indicated to delay imminent pre-term birth in pregnant adult women. Atosiban is useful in improving the pregnancy outcome of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) in patients with repeated implantation failure (RIF). The pregnancy rate improved from zero to 43.7%.

Bivalirudin

Bivalirudin, a peptide anticoagulant, is a direct thrombin inhibitor for anticoagulation in the setting of invasive cardiology, particularly percutaneous coronary intervention.

Elcatonin Acetate

Elcatonin acetate inhibits the absorption and autolysis of bones, thus leads to blood calcium descending. In addition, it inhibits the bone salts dissolving and transferring and promotes the excretion of calcium and phosphorus in urine.

Pramlintide

Pramlintide is an analogue of amylin, a small peptide hormone that is released into the bloodstream by the β-cells of the pancreas along with insulin, after a meal. Like insulin, amylin is completely absent in individuals with Type I diabetes.

Degarelix

Degarelix (INN) or degarelix acetate (USAN) (trade name Firmagon) has an immediate onset of action, binding to gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptors in the pituitary gland and blocking their interaction with GnRH. This induces a fast and profound reduction in luteinising hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and in turn, testosterone suppression. Testosterone is a male hormone that promotes growth of many prostate tumours..

Exenatide

Exendin-4 (exenatide), a 39-amino acid peptide originally isolated from the salivary glands of the Gila monster (Heloderma suspectum), differs from exendin-3 only in two positions close to the N-terminus. Application of exenatide causes an increase in acinar cAMP without stimulating amylase release. As an incretin mimetic, exenatide acts as agonist of the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor. As GLP-1, though with prolonged activity, exenatide augments the postprandial production of insulin and suppresses secretion of glucagon. For this reason, exenatide has found use as a medication of diabetes II.

Carbetocin

Carbetocin is a long-acting synthetic agonist analogue of human oxytocin, with antihemorrhagic and uterotonic activities. Upon administration, carbetocin targets, binds to and activates peripheral oxytocin receptors that are present on the smooth musculature of the uterus. This causes uterus contractions and prevents excessive bleeding after childbirth, particularly following Cesarean section, and may be used to decrease blood loss during hysteroscopic myomectomy.

Icatibant

Icatibant (Firazyr) is a synthetic peptidomimetic drug consisting of ten amino acids, and acts as an effective and specific antagonist of bradykinin B2 receptors. It has been approved in the EU for use in hereditary angioedema, and is under investigation for a number of other conditions in which bradykinin is thought to play a significant role.