EXCERPT
Repurposing medications, even between infectious versus noninfectious indications, dates back to at least the 1950's, when iproniazid (a xenobiotic used to treat tuberculosis), was studied for treating depression. This repurposing of an antimicrobial to treat a chronic daily disease is considered the origin of modern psychopharmacology. William Osler also referenced repurposing: “The young physician starts life with 20 drugs for each disease, and the old physician ends life with one drug for 20 diseases”.
