Endocrine Drugs

Drug Class

Examples

Mechanism of Action

Expected Effect

Side Effects

Insulin (For Diabetes Type 1 & 2)

Lispro (Rapid), Regular (Short), NPH (Intermediate), Glargine (Long-acting)

Facilitates glucose uptake into cells

Lowers blood glucose levels

Hypoglycemia, weight gain

Oral Hypoglycemics (For Type 2 Diabetes)

Metformin (Biguanide)

Decreases hepatic glucose production & increases insulin sensitivity

Lowers blood sugar without increasing insulin levels

GI upset, lactic acidosis (rare)

Glipizide, Glyburide (Sulfonylureas)

Stimulate pancreatic insulin release

Lowers blood sugar

Hypoglycemia, weight gain

Pioglitazone, Rosiglitazone (Thiazolidinediones)

Improve insulin sensitivity

Lowers blood sugar

Fluid retention, heart failure risk

Sitagliptin, Linagliptin (DPP-4 Inhibitors)

Prolong incretin action, increasing insulin release

Lowers blood sugar

Pancreatitis risk

Exenatide, Liraglutide (GLP-1 Agonists)

Mimic incretin, increasing insulin release and delaying gastric emptying

Lowers blood sugar, weight loss

Nausea, pancreatitis

Thyroid Medications

Levothyroxine (Hypothyroidism)

Synthetic T4, converted to T3 in the body

Increases metabolism

Hyperthyroid symptoms (tachycardia, weight loss)

Propylthiouracil (PTU), Methimazole (Hyperthyroidism)

Inhibit thyroid hormone synthesis

Reduce thyroid activity

Agranulocytosis, hepatotoxicity

Corticosteroids (For Adrenal Disorders)

Hydrocortisone, Prednisone, Dexamethasone

Mimic cortisol, reducing inflammation & replacing adrenal hormones

Treat Addison’s disease, inflammation

Osteoporosis, hyperglycemia, immune suppression

Mineralocorticoids

Fludrocortisone

Mimics aldosterone, retaining sodium and water

Treat adrenal insufficiency

Hypertension, hypokalemia

Growth Hormone Therapy

Somatropin

Stimulates growth hormone receptors

Treats growth hormone deficiency

Edema, joint pain

Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH) Analogs

Desmopressin (DDAVP)

Mimics ADH, reducing urine output

Treats diabetes insipidus & nocturnal enuresis

Water retention, hyponatremia

Parathyroid & Bone Medications

Calcitonin, Bisphosphonates (Alendronate)

Inhibit bone resorption by osteoclasts

Treat osteoporosis, hypercalcemia

Esophagitis, jaw osteonecrosis (rare)