Quantifying the exact influence of any single drug on world history is challenging, but there are six drugs whose significant impact on human life is undeniable, often leading to unforeseen consequences.

Penicillin

Penicillin, derived from Penicillium, is a type of antibiotic that disrupts bacterial cell walls, exerting a bactericidal effect during their reproductive phase. Discovered by British bacteriologist Alexander Fleming in 1928, this drug stands as the world's first antibiotic. Following extensive research, Fleming successfully isolated penicillin and formally introduced it to clinical practice in the early 1940s.

Antibiotics, such as penicillin, hold a pivotal role in treating infectious diseases. Their impact extends across various medical realms, from cancer chemotherapy and organ transplantation to intricate surgeries, serving as the cornerstone for numerous breakthroughs in modern medicine.

Anesthetic

In the late 18th century, English chemist Joseph Priestley is credited with the discovery of nitrous oxide gas, commonly referred to as "laughing gas." British chemist Humphry Davy speculated on its potential as a surgical painkiller, though it eventually gained popularity as a recreational substance. It wasn't until 1834, when French chemist Jean-Baptiste Dumas named a new gas chloroform, that this anesthetic was utilized to assist in childbirth, a practice which gained prominence in 1847.

As the use of anesthetics became more prevalent in surgery, it significantly reduced the risk of patients succumbing to shock induced by pain, a common occurrence before their widespread adoption.

Nitroglycerin

Nitroglycerin has a pivotal role in treating cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Surprisingly, it was once known not as a life-saving medication, but as an explosive.

The transition of nitroglycerin from an explosive to a life-saving drug came about through a series of unexpected events. Initially, employees involved in explosive production were mysteriously dying at home. Initially suspected as toxicity from nitroglycerin exposure, further investigation revealed that these individuals actually suffered from coronary heart disease. Their symptoms were relieved by the nitroglycerin they inhaled during work, but the lack of exposure at home led to sudden deaths.

This remarkable revelation swiftly caught the attention of medical experts, leading to the successful transition of nitroglycerin from an explosive to a valuable medication. Nitroglycerin continues to serve as an effective treatment for acute coronary heart disease to this day.

Birth control pill

The Pill not only triggered a social revolution but also sparked a significant economic shift, arguably one of the most impactful of the late 20th century. With a failure rate of just 6 percent—three times safer than condoms—it can be even more effective, reducing the risk to one in 20 if used correctly.

The birth control pill empowered women by granting them control over their fertility, enabling them to prioritize their careers. It provided unmarried women with significantly reduced risks of unwanted pregnancies, consequently reshaping the traditional marriage paradigm.

Diazepam

Diazepam acts by binding to specific receptors in the central nervous system, thereby decreasing nerve sensitivity and reducing excitability. Clinically, it is utilized as a central nervous system depressant, commonly prescribed for conditions such as anxiety, insomnia, and epilep

Diazepam, introduced by Roche Pharmaceuticals in 1963, made history as the first blockbuster drug to surpass annual sales of $1 billion. From 1968 to 1982, it maintained its position as the top-selling drug in the US market, propelling Roche into the ranks of pharmaceutical giants.

Chlorpromazine

Chlorpromazine was among the earliest medications employed for the direct treatment of psychological disorders. By 1964, an estimated 50 million individuals worldwide were using chlorpromazine.

Despite the emergence of new antipsychotic medications, chlorpromazine remains in use today. As the pioneering drug for treating mental illness, its success shattered all unscientific theories surrounding mental health, demonstrating that mental illness could be effectively addressed through chemical means. This achievement marked the onset of a new era in psychopharmacology and permanently transformed the field of psychiatry.