Hormone Replacement, Steroid, Antidiabetic, and Weight Loss Medications

Vocabulary flashcards covering drug generic and brand names, mechanisms of action, usages, dosage forms, box warnings, and auxiliary instructions from the lecture.

Levothyroxine (Synthroid)

A hormone replacement drug used for hypothyroidism, available in tablets and injection. Carries a Box Warning stating it is toxic in high doses and must not be used for weight loss.

Hydrocortisone topical (Ala-Cort)

An anti-inflammatory steroid cream (2.5% Rx, 1% OTC) used to relieve swelling, redness, itching, and allergic reactions. Side effects include thinning of skin.

Prednisone (Deltasone/Rayos)

An anti-inflammatory steroid available as solution (5 mg/mL, 5 mg/5 mL) and scored tablets (1 mg to 50 mg). Auxiliary label warns to not discontinue therapy abruptly; must taper.

Prednisolone (Orapred)

An anti-inflammatory steroid available in solution formulations (5 mg/5 mL to 25 mg/5 mL) and 5 mg ODT. Requires tapering before discontinuation.

Methylprednisolone (Medrol)

An anti-inflammatory/immunosuppressant steroid available in tablets, Medrol Dosepak (21 4mg tablets), Depo-Medrol IM Inj, and Solu-Medrol IV/IM. Note: DO NOT GIVE DEPO IV!

Pioglitazone (Actos)

An oral antidiabetic/hypoglycemic medication for Type II Diabetes (NIDDM) that increases insulin release and body's sensitivity. Initial dose is 15 mg tab qd.

Glimepiride (Amaryl)

An oral antidiabetic drug for Type II Diabetes available in 1 mg, 2 mg, and 4 mg scored tablets. Dosed 1-4 mg qd with the first meal of the day.

Glyburide (DiaBeta)

An oral antidiabetic agent used for Type II diabetes with a dose range of 1.25 – 10 mg qd and hypoglycemia as a side effect.

Canagliflozin (Invokana)

An oral antidiabetic agent used for type II diabetes, available in 100 mg and 300 mg tablets, taken 100 – 300 mg qd.

Metformin (Fortamet)

An oral antidiabetic drug used for Type II Diabetes, available in standard tablets (500 mg, 850 mg, 1,000 mg), ER tablets, and 100 mg/mL solution. Starting dose is 500 mg po bid or 850 mg qd.

Sitagliptin (Januvia)

An oral antidiabetic drug used for Type II diabetes, available in 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg tablets with a usual dose of 100 mg po qd.

Sitagliptin/metformin (Janumet)

A combination oral antidiabetic product for Type II diabetes available in standard tablets (50-1,000 mg, 50-500 mg) and XR tablets (100-1,000 mg, 50-1,000 mg, 50-500 mg).

Liraglutide (Victoza)

A Type II diabetes subcutaneous injection (6 mg/1 mL) that increases insulin release. Brand name Saxenda is approved for weight loss. Features a Box Warning for increased risk of thyroid cancer.

Semaglutide (Ozempic)

An injectable antidiabetic agent for Type II diabetes (brand name Wegovy approved for weight loss) given subcutaneously weekly. Carries a Box Warning for increased risk of thyroid cancer.

Insulin lispro (Humalog)

An ultra-rapid onset (less than 15 min) and short duration (3-4 hr) hypoglycemic insulin replacement used for IDDM and uncontrolled Type II diabetes. Available as Humalog U-100 and mixed formulations (50/50, 75/25).

Insulin aspart (NovoLog)

An ultra-rapid onset (less than 15 min) and short duration (3-4 hr) hypoglycemic insulin replacement used for IDDM. Available as NovoLog U-100 and Novolog Mix 70/30.

Insulin regular (Humulin R/Novolin R)

A short-acting insulin replacement for IDDM. Notably, it is the only type of insulin that can be put in an IV.

Insulin NPH (Humulin N/Novolin N)

Neutral Protamine Hagedorn; an intermediate-acting insulin that is slower to act and lasts longer than regular insulin. Auxiliary label instructs to roll gently before each use to mix suspension.

Insulin glargine (Lantus)

A long-acting insulin replacement with prolonged onset (1-4 hr) and 24-hour duration. Must not be mixed/diluted or administered via insulin pump or IV.

Insulin detemir (Levemir)

A long-acting insulin replacement with prolonged onset (1-4 hr) and 24-hour duration. Must not be mixed or diluted with any other insulin/solution or given via IV or pump.

Phentermine (Adipex-P CIV)

A Schedule IV anorectic medication indicated for short-term (1-2 weeks) weight loss, available as 37.5 mg capsules and scored tablets.

semaglutide (Wegovy)

FDA approved for weight loss

liraglutide (Saxenda)

FDA approved for weight loss