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Table 2 Examples of successfully repurposed drugs

From: Exploring different approaches to improve the success of drug discovery and development projects: a review

Drug

Original indication

Repurposed indication

Zidovudine

Anticancer

Antiretroviral

Miltefosine

Anticancer

Leishmaniasis

Sildenafil

Pulmonary arterial hypertension

Erectile dysfunction

Thalidomide

Sedative

Erythema nodosum and multiple myeloma

Sirolimus

Immunosuppressant

Lymphoproliferative syndrome

Bupropion

Antidepressant

Smoking cessation aid

Rituximab

Anticancer

Rheumatoid arthritis

Raloxifene

Osteoporosis

Breast cancer

Gabapentin

Antiseizure

Post herpetic neuralgia

Eflornithine

Cancer

Hirsutism

Minoxidil

Antihypertensive

Alopecia

Pramipexole

Parkinson’s disease

Restless leg syndrome

  1. Adapted from Ref [48]