Heterocycles

The drugs used in human medicine cover the whole range of chemical structure types, but majorities are heterocyclic molecules. Of the top 10 best — selling (prescription) drugs by value in the year June 2006 — June 2007, seven were heterocycles: atorvastatin (Lipitor SI 3.5bni a statin for cholesterol reduction); esomeprazole (Nexium; S6.9bn; a proton — pump inhibitor for reduction of gastric acid); clopidogrel (Plavix; S5.8bn; an anti — platelet agent to prevent blood clots); olenzapine (Zyprexa; S4.9bn; an anti — schizophrenic); risperidone (Risperdal; S4.8bn; an anti — schizophrenic); amlodipine (Norvasc; S4.5bn; an anti — hypertensive agent); quetiapine (Seroquel; S4.2bn; for treatmentof schizophrenia and bipolar disorder).