Journal of medicinal chemistrySep 26, 2014

Analysis of the Element Elements Found in FDA-Approved Drug Structures Beyond Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, and Nitrogen

Alzheimers & Treatments Weekly Brief ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗

Updated Apr 2, 2026

Abstract

Sulfur, chlorine, fluorine, and phosphorus constitute about 90% of elemental substitutions in FDA approved pharmaceuticals.

Sulfur is the fifth most commonly used element in pharmaceuticals, followed by chlorine, fluorine, and phosphorus.
The remaining 10% of elemental substitutions involve 16 other elements, with bromine, iodine, and iron being the most prevalent.
A detailed analysis of chlorinated drugs was conducted, examining factors such as approval date and disease condition.
A new poster was created to illustrate the structures of chlorinated pharmaceuticals to support the analysis.
Phosphorus, bromine, and iodine-containing drugs were also closely analyzed in the study.

Simplified

The diversity of elements among U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved pharmaceuticals is analyzed and reported, with a focus on atoms other than carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen. Our analysis reveals that sulfur, chlorine, fluorine, and phosphorous represent about 90% of elemental substitutions, with sulfur being the fifth most used element followed closely by chlorine, then fluorine and finally phosphorous in the eighth place. The remaining 10% of substitutions are represented by 16 other elements of which bromine, iodine, and iron occur most frequently. The most detailed parts of our analysis are focused on chlorinated drugs as a function of approval date, disease condition, chlorine attachment, and structure. To better aid our chlorine drug analyses, a new poster showcasing the structures of chlorinated pharmaceuticals was created specifically for this study. Phosphorus, bromine, and iodine containing drugs are analyzed closely as well, followed by a discussion about other elements.

Full Text

Full text is available at the source.

View Full Text ↗

Analysis of the Element Elements Found in FDA-Approved Drug Structures Beyond Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, and Nitrogen

Abstract

Full Text

You found one interesting study. We’ll send the next 7.

what lands in your inbox each week:

Recent issues from the alzheimers & treatments brief

Abstract

Full Text

Related papers

You found one interesting study. We’ll send the next 7.

what lands in your inbox each week:

Recent issues from the alzheimers & treatments brief