HSCI 3020 Endocrine Drugs

Overview of Endocrine Drugs

Therapeutic Classes

  • Drugs to Treat Hypothyroidism

    • Levothyroxine: A synthetic form of the thyroid hormone used to treat hypothyroidism by replacing or supplementing the thyroid hormone deficient in patients.

  • Antithyroid Drugs

    • Methimazole: Used to inhibit the production of thyroid hormones in patients with hyperthyroidism.
    • Propylthiouracil (PTU): Similar to Methimazole, it decreases thyroid hormone production through different mechanisms.
Drugs for Parathyroid Disorders

  • Drugs Used to Treat Hypoparathyroidism

    • Synthetic PTH: A replacement therapy for those deficient in parathyroid hormone.
    • Calcium: Essential for bone health and primarily used to manage hypoparathyroidism.
    • Vitamin D: Aids in calcium absorption and also utilized in treating low parathyroid hormone levels.

  • Drugs Used to Treat Hyperparathyroidism

    • PTH Antagonist
    • Calcitonin: Helps lower blood calcium levels by inhibiting osteoclast activity, which decreases bone resorption.
Anti-Diabetic Drugs

  • Insulin Types

    • Rapid-Acting Insulin
    • Lispro, Aspart, Glulisine: Used to manage blood sugar levels right after meals due to their fast onset.
    • Short-Acting Insulin
    • Regular Insulin: Used for both basal and prandial insulin needs; taken about 30 minutes before meals.
    • Intermediate-Acting Insulin
    • NPH: Often used for basal insulin therapy, lasting longer in the body.
    • Long-Acting Insulin
    • Glargine, Detemir: Provides a steady release of insulin over an extended period, used primarily for overnight control.

  • Oral Diabetic Medications

    • Sulfonylureas
    • Diabinese, Glyburide: Stimulate the pancreas to release more insulin; primarily used in Type 2 Diabetes.
    • Biguanides
    • Metformin: Increases insulin sensitivity and decreases hepatic glucose production.
    • Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) Inhibitors
    • Canagliflozin, Dapagliflozin: Work by preventing the reabsorption of glucose in the kidneys, leading to increased glucose excretion.
    • Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 (DPP-4) Inhibitors
    • Sitagliptin: Helps modulate glucose levels by increasing incretin levels, which can stimulate insulin release.
    • Glucagon-like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) Agonists
    • Liraglutide, Semaglutide, Dulaglutide: Mimic incretin hormones, increasing insulin secretion, and slowing gastric emptying; beneficial in weight management.