Category: Medication history

Finasteride was originally approved by the FDA in 1992 for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) under the brand name Proscar, with its use for male pattern hair loss following five years later. The story of **when did people start using finasteride** is one of scientific discovery and a fortunate observation during clinical trials.

By 1978, over 2.3 billion Valium pills were sold in the U.S. alone, making Valium the most prescribed and widely used medication of the decade. Understanding **what was the most used drug in the 1970s** reveals a pivotal period in pharmacology, marked by the widespread acceptance of tranquilizers and the subsequent reckoning with their risks.

Contrary to common belief, the osteoporosis drug Fosamax was never the subject of a complete FDA recall in the United States [1.3.1]. The question 'Why was Fosamax taken off the market?' stems from its brand-name decline after its patent expiration in 2008 and major safety controversies [1.7.4].

In November 2000, the FDA issued a public health warning and requested that drug companies discontinue marketing products containing phenylpropanolamine (PPA), a key ingredient in Naldecon [1.6.2, 1.6.7]. So, the answer to 'Is Naldecon still available?' is no, not in its original formulation.

In 2023, 11.4% of U.S. adults reported taking prescription medication for depression [1.9.2]. One of the earliest treatments was amitriptyline, but a common misconception exists about its availability. This article addresses the question: **Why did they discontinue amitriptyline?**, revealing the truth behind its modern usage.

In 2010, Pfizer announced its acquisition of King Pharmaceuticals for $3.6 billion, a deal which included King's subsidiary, Monarch Pharmaceuticals [1.4.9, 1.5.3]. When asking 'What is a monarch drug?', the answer usually points to a legacy product from this company, though the term also has an entirely different, classical meaning in pharmacology.

In the late 1990s, concerns over severe cardiac side effects led the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to request the removal of a popular medication, leaving many wondering **what antihistamine was pulled off the market?** The recalls of Seldane and Hismanal fundamentally reshaped the antihistamine landscape.