317 articles
Macimorelin
Macimorelin (AEZS-130, Macrilen, Ghryvelin) is an oral ghrelin-mimetic tripeptide, GHSR agonist, FDA-approved in 2017 to diagnose adult growth hormone deficiency via a 0.5 mg/kg GH stimulation test.
Masculinizing hormone therapy
Masculinizing hormone therapy is a gender-affirming treatment giving testosterone to transgender men and trans masculine people, inducing masculine characteristics, suppressing menstruation, and reducing dysphoria.
Maxacalcitol
Maxacalcitol (マキサカルシトール), or 22-oxacalcitriol, is a Japanese vitamin D3 analog, brand Oxarol, used intravenously for secondary hyperparathyroidism in dialysis and topically for psoriasis.
Mazdutide
Mazdutide (IBI362, LY3305677; brand XinErMei) is a once-weekly GLP-1/glucagon receptor dual agonist by Eli Lilly and Innovent, first approved in China in 2025 for obesity and type 2 diabetes.
MDR-001
MDR-001: MindRank's AI-designed oral small-molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist (β-arrestin2-biased) for obesity and type 2 diabetes; Phase 2b showed 8-10% weight loss; Phase III MOBILE trial ongoing in China.
Medrogestone
Medrogestone (Colprone) is a synthetic oral progestogen, 6,17α-dimethyl-6-dehydroprogesterone, developed by Ayerst, approved in Canada in 1969, never FDA-approved, used in France for progesterone-deficiency disorders, with prolonged use linked to increased meningioma risk (OR 3.49).
Meldonium
Meldonium (Mildronate, MET-88) is a Latvian-developed anti-ischemic drug that lowers carnitine by inhibiting gamma-butyrobetaine hydroxylase; sold in Eastern Europe, WADA-prohibited since 2016, with unproven ergogenic effects.
Melogliptin
Melogliptin (GRC 8200), an oral DPP-IV inhibitor developed by Glenmark Pharmaceuticals for type 2 diabetes, out-licensed to Merck KGaA in 2006 for US$31 million, returned in 2008, and discontinued in Phase 2 in 2011.
Menatetrenone
Menatetrenone (メナテトレノン), menaquinone-4 or MK-4, is a synthetic vitamin K2 drug (C31H40O2) sold as Glakay by Eisai; approved in Japan since 1995 at 45 mg/day for osteoporosis, it lowers undercarboxylated osteocalcin but shows uncertain fracture benefit.
Meprednisone
Meprednisone (16-methylprednisone), also known by the brand name Betapar, is a synthetic glucocorticoid and methylated prednisone derivative, glucocorticoid receptor agonist, 4 mg oral tablet, discontinued.
Metformin glycinate
Metformin glycinate is a glycine salt form of metformin, an oral biguanide for type 2 diabetes. A 12-month trial found HbA1c efficacy equal to metformin hydrochloride with fewer adverse events and faster AMPK phosphorylation in hepatocytes.
Methylprednisolone
Methylprednisolone (Medrol, Solu-Medrol, Depo-Medrol) is a synthetic prednisolone-derivative glucocorticoid used orally and by injection for inflammatory and immunosuppressive therapy, with greater anti-inflammatory potency than prednisolone.
Metreleptin
Metreleptin (Myalept, Myalepta) is a recombinant human leptin analog injected daily for complications of leptin deficiency in lipodystrophy. FDA approved 2014 for generalized lipodystrophy; EU 2018; lowers HbA1c and triglycerides; REMS-restricted.
Migalastat
Migalastat (Galafold, 1-deoxygalactonojirimycin) is Amicus Therapeutics' oral pharmacological chaperone for Fabry disease, approved by EMA 2016 and FDA 2018, for patients with amenable GLA mutations defined by the GLP-HEK assay (≥1.2-fold and ≥3% wild-type alpha-Gal A increase), dosed 123 mg every other day.
Miglitol
Miglitol (Glyset, Diastabol) is an oral alpha-glucosidase inhibitor, a desoxynojirimycin derivative approved by the FDA in 1996, used as adjunct to diet and exercise in type 2 diabetes; dosed 25-100 mg three times daily, renally excreted unchanged.
Miglustat
Miglustat (N-butyldeoxynojirimycin, Zavesca) is an oral glucosylceramide synthase inhibitor, a substrate reduction therapy for type 1 Gaucher disease and Niemann-Pick type C neurological manifestations, and part of Pompe combination therapy.
Mipomersen
Mipomersen, brand name Kynamro, is an antisense oligonucleotide that blocks apoB synthesis, approved in the United States in 2013 for homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia and since discontinued.
Mitapivat
Mitapivat (AG-348; Pyrukynd, Aqvesme) is an oral first-in-class allosteric activator of red-cell pyruvate kinase, approved 2022 in the US for pyruvate kinase deficiency and 2025 for thalassemia, with sickle cell disease under FDA priority review.
Mitiglinide
Mitiglinide (Glufast, GLUBES with voglibose) is a rapid-acting glinide insulin secretagogue for type 2 diabetes, developed by Kissei, marketed in Japan since 2004, acting via SUR1/KATP channel closure.
Muraglitazar
Muraglitazar (BMS-298585, Pargluva) was a dual PPARα/γ agonist for type 2 diabetes developed by Bristol-Myers Squibb and Merck; FDA approval was declined in 2005 after a meta-analysis showed excess death and cardiovascular events.
MWN101
MWN101 is a once-weekly injectable GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon triple agonist from China's Shanghai Minwei Biotechnology, in phase 2 trials for obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Nafarelin
Nafarelin (Synarel) is a synthetic GnRH agonist decapeptide nasal spray treating central precocious puberty and endometriosis; initial LH/FSH stimulation followed by reversible pituitary desensitization lowers sex steroid output.
Nomegestrol acetate
Nomegestrol acetate (NOMAC), a 19-norprogesterone-derived progestogen, is used with estradiol 1.5 mg in the combined pill Zoely (EU 2011) and alone for gynecological disorders; selective progesterone receptor binding, half-life about 50 hours, meningioma risk measures since 2022.
Norelgestromin
Norelgestromin (NGMN), the primary active metabolite of norgestimate, is the progestin in the once-weekly contraceptive patch Ortho Evra/Evra/Xulane, delivering 150 mcg NGMN plus ethinyl estradiol; efficacy matches oral contraceptives with better compliance.
Obeticholic acid
Obeticholic acid (Ocaliva, 6α-ethyl-chenodeoxycholic acid) is a semisynthetic FXR agonist approved in 2016 for primary biliary cholangitis, later withdrawn in the EU (2024) and US (2025).
Octreotide
Octreotide (Sandostatin) is a synthetic octapeptide somatostatin analogue synthesized at Sandoz in 1980 and FDA-approved in 1988. It inhibits GH, insulin, and gut hormone secretion, treating acromegaly and carcinoid syndrome, with LAR monthly and oral formulations.
Odanacatib
Odanacatib (MK-0822) was an investigational oral, once-weekly cathepsin K inhibitor Merck developed for osteoporosis and abandoned in September 2016 after a trial showed increased stroke risk.
Olezarsen
Olezarsen (Tryngolza), an Ionis GalNAc-conjugated antisense oligonucleotide targeting apoC-III mRNA, lowers triglycerides; FDA-approved 2024 for familial chylomicronemia syndrome and 2026 for severe hypertriglyceridemia.
Olorigliflozin
Olorigliflozin (奥洛格列净), brand Dongze'an, is Sunshine Lake Pharma's Class 1 SGLT2 inhibitor capsule (20/50 mg) approved by China's NMPA in January 2026 for type 2 diabetes, alone or with metformin.
Omarigliptin
Omarigliptin (MK-3102, MARIZEV) is Merck's once-weekly oral DPP-4 inhibitor for type 2 diabetes, approved in Japan in 2015; 25 mg weekly showed non-inferior HbA1c reduction to daily sitagliptin.