Spotlight Commentary: Importance of Dose Redefining in the Process of Drug Repurposing

The commentary highlighted the critical importance of redefining dosages in the process of drug repurposing. It emphasized that while repurposing drugs can be a cost-effective and faster way to develop new treatments, it often requires careful consideration of dosing, especially when the new indication involves different mechanisms of action or target populations. Examples included the use of minoxidil for hair loss, gabapentin for dementia-related aggression, and sildenafil for pulmonary hypertension in infants. The authors stressed that without proper dose-finding studies, the efficacy and safety of repurposed drugs could not be assured, as seen in the case of hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19, which ultimately showed no clinical benefit and significant toxicity. The commentary concluded that thorough dose investigations are essential for successful drug repurposing.