Injectable Antidiabetic Agents and Other Endocrine Drugs

Exenatide

Brand: Byetta; Bydureon | Class: GLP-1 agonist | Uses: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Dulaglutide

Brand: Trulicity | Class: GLP-1 agonist | Uses: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Liraglutide

Brand: Victoza | Class: GLP-1 agonist | Uses: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus; Weight loss

Semaglutide

Brand: Ozempic; Rybelsus; Wegovy | Class: GLP-1 agonist | Uses: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus; Weight loss

Tirzepatide

Brand: Mounjaro; Zepbound | Class: GIP/GLP-1 agonist | Uses: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus; Weight loss

Insulin Aspart

Brand: Novolog; Fiasp | Class: Rapid-acting insulin | Uses: Diabetes Mellitus (Type 1 / Type 2)

Insulin Lispro

Brand: Humalog; Admelog | Class: Rapid-acting insulin | Uses: Diabetes Mellitus (Type 1 / Type 2)

Insulin Regular

Brand: Humulin R; Novolin R | Class: Short-acting insulin | Uses: Diabetes Mellitus (Type 1 / Type 2)

Insulin NPH

Brand: Humulin N; Novolin N | Class: Intermediate insulin | Uses: Diabetes Mellitus (Type 1 / Type 2)

Insulin Detemir

Brand: Levemir | Class: Long-acting insulin | Uses: Diabetes Mellitus (Type 1 / Type 2)

Insulin Glargine

Brand: Lantus; Basaglar; Toujeo | Class: Long-acting insulin | Uses: Diabetes Mellitus (Type 1 / Type 2)

Insulin Degludec

Brand: Tresiba | Class: Ultra-long insulin | Uses: Diabetes Mellitus (Type 1 / Type 2)

Levothyroxine

Brand: Synthroid; Levoxyl; Tirosint | Class: Thyroid hormone (T4) | Uses: Hypothyroidism

Liothyronine

Brand: Cytomel | Class: Thyroid hormone (T3) | Uses: Hypothyroidism

Thyroid (desiccated)

Brand: Armour Thyroid | Class: Thyroid hormone mix | Uses: Hypothyroidism

Methylprednisolone

Brand: Medrol | Class: Corticosteroid | Uses: Inflammation

Prednisone

Brand: Deltasone | Class: Corticosteroid | Uses: Inflammation

Dexamethasone

Brand: Decadron | Class: Corticosteroid | Uses: Inflammation

Hydrocortisone

Brand: Solu-Cortef | Class: Corticosteroid | Uses: Inflammation

Byetta / Bydureon

Generic: Exenatide

Trulicity

Generic: Dulaglutide

Victoza

Generic: Liraglutide

Ozempic / Rybelsus / Wegovy

Generic: Semaglutide

Mounjaro / Zepbound

Generic: Tirzepatide

Novolog / Fiasp

Generic: Insulin Aspart

Humalog / Admelog

Generic: Insulin Lispro

Humulin R / Novolin R

Generic: Insulin Regular

Humulin N / Novolin N

Generic: Insulin NPH

Levemir

Generic: Insulin Detemir

Lantus / Basaglar / Toujeo

Generic: Insulin Glargine

Tresiba

Generic: Insulin Degludec

Synthroid / Levoxyl / Tirosint

Generic: Levothyroxine

Cytomel

Generic: Liothyronine

Armour Thyroid

Generic: Thyroid (desiccated)

Medrol

Generic: Methylprednisolone

Deltasone

Generic: Prednisone

Decadron

Generic: Dexamethasone

Solu-Cortef

Generic: Hydrocortisone

GLP-1 / GIP Agonists - Mechanism / Rationale

Lower A1C & promote satiety

Insulins - Mechanism / Rationale

Replace / augment endogenous insulin; various basal-bolus regimens

Thyroid Hormones - Mechanism / Rationale

Replace thyroid levels in patients with hypothyroidism

Systemic Corticosteroids - Mechanism / Rationale

Strong anti-inflammatory & immunosuppression

GLP-1 / GIP Agonists - Common Side Effects

Nausea > vomiting > diarrhea (dose-related)

Insulins - Common Side Effects

Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar); weight gain

Thyroid Hormones - Common Side Effects

Weight loss

Corticosteroids - Common Side Effects

Increased appetite / weight; mood changes / insomnia; hyperglycemia (high blood sugar)

GLP-1 / GIP Agonists - Serious / Black-Box Risks

Acute pancreatitis; medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) risk (boxed warning)

Insulins - Serious / Black-Box Risks

Severe hypoglycemia leading to seizure / coma

Thyroid Hormones - Serious / Black-Box Risks

Cardiac arrhythmia / myocardial infarction (heart attack) with excessive doses

Corticosteroids - Serious / Black-Box Risks

Serious infections; GI bleed / perforation (especially with NSAIDs)

GLP-1 / GIP Agonists - High-Yield Interactions / Contraindications

Increased hypoglycemia with insulin or sulfonylureas; Contraindicated in personal/family history of MTC or MEN 2 (Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia type 2)

Insulins - High-Yield Interactions

Beta-blockers mask hypoglycemia symptoms; additive effect with GLP-1 agonists or sulfonylureas

Thyroid Hormones - High-Yield Administration / Interactions

Decreased absorption with food (take 30 min before eating); separate by >= 4 hours from Calcium / Iron / Aluminum

Corticosteroids - High-Yield Interactions

Live vaccines increase infection risk; NSAIDs increase GI bleed risk