Importance of Heterocyclic molecules
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; $13.5bn; a statin for cholesterol reduction); esomeprazole (Nexium; $6.9bn; a proton – pump inhibitor for reduction of gastric acid); clopidogrel (Plavix; $5.8bn; an anti – platelet agent to prevent blood clots); olenzapine (Zyprexa; $4.9bn; an anti – schizophrenic); risperidone (Risperdal; $4.8bn; an anti – schizophrenic); amlodipine (Norvasc; $4.5bn; an anti – hypertensive agent); quetiapine (Seroquel; $4.2bn; for treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder).