Drugs that Affect the  Endocrine System
Topics Pituitary Drugs Parathyroid/Thyroid Drugs Adrenal Drugs Pancreatic Drugs Reproductive Drugs Sexual Behavior Drugs
Functions Regulation Control
Glands Exocrine Secrete enzymes Close to organs Endocrine Secrete hormones Transport via bloodstream Require receptors
Nervous Endocrine Neurotransmitters Hormones Short Distance Long Distance Closeness Receptor Specificity Rapid Onset Delayed Onset Short Duration Prolonged Duration
Mechanism of Action
Hypothalamus
Hypothalamic Control Pituitary
Posterior Pituitary
Anterior Pituitary
Anterior Pituitary
Anterior Pituitary
Pituitary Hormones
Thyroid
Thyroid
Hypothyroidism
Hyperthyroidism
Parathyroid
Parathyroid
Calcium Regulation
Pancreas
Pancreas Alpha cells: glucagon Beta cells: insulin
Pancreas
Glucose Regulation
Adrenal
 
 
Adrenal Medulla
Adrenal Cortex
Anterior Pituitary Drugs Inadequate Growth Hormone Dwarfism somatrem (Protropin ® ) homatropin (Humatrope ® ) Excessive Growth Hormone Acromegaly Gigantism Surgical removal 1 º octreotide (Sandostatin®)
Posterior Pituitary Drugs Oxytocin ADH Diabetes insipidus Nocturnal enuresis vasopressin (Pitressin ® ) desmopressin (Stimate ® ) lypressin (Diapid ® )
Parathyroid Diseases Hypoparathyroidism Inadequate calcium levels TX: increased dietary calcium Hyperparathyroidism Excessive calcium levels TX: surgical removal
Thyroid Disease Hypothyroidism Hormone replacement levothyroxine (Synthroid®) Hyperthyroidism Thyrotoxicosis Surgical removal propylthiouracil (PTU)
Adrenal Cortex ACTH Hypersecretion Cushing’s Disease Surgical removal Inhibit adrenal secretion ketoconazol (Nizoral  ® ) Symptomatic tx: Antihypertensives ACTH Hyposecretion Addison’s Disease Replacement therapy Cortisone (Cortistan ® ) Hydrocortisone (SoluCortef ® ) Fludrocortisone (Florinef Acetate ® )
Pancreas Blood Glucose Insulin Glucagon + - Blood Potassium Beta Blockers - -
Insulin Preparations Regular Insulin Natural insulin Modified Insulin Increased duration of action NPH (neutral protamin Hagedorn) Natural plus protamin Lente Attached to zinc to prolong absorption
Oral Hypoglycemic Agents Sulfonylureas    insulin secretion tolbutamide (Orinase ® ) chlorpropamide (Diabinese ® ) glipizide (Glucotrol ® ) glyburide (Micronase ® ) Alpha-glucosidase  inhibitors Delay carbohydrate metabolism acarbose (Precose ® ) miglitol (Glyset ® ) Biguanides metformin (Glucophage ® )    Glucose synthesis    Glucose uptake Thiazolidinediones Insulin effectiveness troglitazone (Rezulin ® )
Hyperglycemic Agents Glucagon    gluconeogenesis D 50 W diazoxide (Proglycem®) Inhibits insulin release
Estrogens & Progestins Estrogens used for post-menopausal hormone replacement therapy. estradiol (Estrace ® ) conjugated estrogens (Premarin ® ) estropipate (Ogen ® ) Progestin Diminish side effects of estrogen therapy Nausea, fluid retention, breast tenderness medroxyprogesterone acetate (Provera ® ) norethindrone acetate (Aygestin ® )
Oral Contraceptives Combination of estrogen and progestin Loestrin ® , Levora ® , Nordette ® , Ovocon ® , Norinyl ®  plus many others Minipill: progestin only Micronor ® , Nor-Q.D. ® , Orvette ® Prime side effect:    risk of thromboembolism
Uterine Stimulants & Relaxants Stimulants ( Oxytocics )    uterine contraction Indication: Induce labor Postpartum hemorrhage oxytocin (Pitocin ® ) ergonovine (Ergotrate ® ) Relaxants ( tocolytics ) Relax uterine smooth muscle Beta 2  agonists terbutaline (Brethine ® ) ritodrine (Yuptopar ® )
Infertility Agents Promote maturation of ovarian follicles clomiphene (Clomid ® ) urofollitropin (Metrodin ® )
Male Reproductive Agents Testosterone Replacement methyltestosterone (Metandren ® ) fluoxymesterone (Halotestin ® ) Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy Surgery finasteride (Proscar ® )
Sexual Behavior Most are side effects from other medications Antihypertensives & psychoactive drugs sildenafil (Viagra ® )

Endrocrine drugs

Editor's Notes

  • #4 Regulation of: Metabolism Water and Electrolyte balance Red Blood Cell Production Control of: Reproduction Smooth, sequential growth and development
  • #10 Oxytocin: Uterine contraction Milk ejection from Mammary gland Release stimulated by delivery and infant suckling Vasopressin (Antidiuretic Hormone): Enhances water retention by kidneys (hence antidiuretic) Major regulation of urinary water loss and overall water balance Causes contraction of arteriolar smooth muscle (vessel pressor effect) Little normal control of blood pressure Released via hypothalmic osmoreceptors when an increase in osmolarity is dected (ie, a decrease in plasma levels)
  • #11 Growth Hormone (GH) responsible for regulating growth and development important in regulating metabolism (increases use of stored fats, decreases glucose utilization) Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH) Increases metabolic rate acting on thyroid gland Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) Increases cortisol secretion by adrenal cortex Promotes growth of adrenal cortex Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) Males: required for sperm production Females: stimulates growth and devlopment of ovarian follicles Luteinizing Hormone (LH) Males:responsible for secretion of testosterone by testes Females: responsible for ovulation, secretion of estrogen and progesterone by ovaries Prolactin (PRL) Females: Enhances breast development and milk production
  • #16 Thyroid Hormone: Effects virtually ever body tissue Increases the body’s overall basal metabolic rate or “idling speed” Increases Oxygen consumption and energy expenditure Slow action, long duration Increases heat production via increased metabolic rate (Calorigenic Effect) Sympathomimetic Effects with increased thyroid stimulation increased production of catecholmine receptors
  • #17 Cretinism Exhibits signs of dwarfism because skeleton fails to grow or mature Severe Mental retardation In adult onset, causes Myxedma S/S: facial swelling, bradycardia, decreased body temperature, weakness, leathergy Treatment aimed at thyroid replacement
  • #18 Exophthalmos Grave’s Disease Increased metabolism, tachycardia , heat intolerance, increased sweating, weight loss despite good apetite, insomnia, nervousness Treatment: surgical removal of part of thyroid gland or radiation therapy to destroy part of thyroid
  • #20 Parathyroid hormone: Increases Calcium concentration in plasma and, therefore, ECF. Complete lack of parathyroid hormone leads to death within several days, usually due to hypocalcemic spasm of respiratory muscles
  • #23 Alpha cells: glucagon Opposes action of insulin Increases blood sugar levels by: decreasing glycogen synthesis increasing glycogen breakdown into glucose Beta cells: insulin Decreases blood sugar by: Promotes glucose transport into most cells by increasing the number of glucose-transporter proteins available on cell membrane. Brain doesn’t require insulin for transport Increases glucogenesis (creation of glucose) Increases glycogenolysis (breakdown of glycogen) Delta cells: somatostatin Inhibits production and release of both glucogon and insulin
  • #29 Medulla Epinephrine and Norepinephrine Part of SNS, responsible for catecholmine release which prolongs fight or flite response Cortex: Glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids Glucocorticoids: increase blood glucose levels prevent inflammation are released in response to stress