Drugs And The Endocrine System

Question 0

Name a drug used to treat hypothyroidism

Answer 0

Levothyroxine

Intravenous triiodothyronine (T3) if very severe

Question 1

Name a drug used to treat hyperthyroidism

Answer 1

Carbimazole

Question 2

Give some of the symptoms of hypothyroidism

Answer 2

Slow speech
Lethargy
Hyporeflexia
Hypotension
Bradycardia
Anaemia
Weight gain
Low body temperature

Question 3

Give some of the symptoms of hyperthyroidism

Answer 3

Anxiety
Nervousness
Insomnia
Hypertension
Tachycardia
Palpitations
Low grade fever
Increased appetite
Weight loss

Question 4

What role does iodine play in thyroid disease?

Answer 4

Iodine deficiency can cause hypothyroidism

Iodine intake must be limited in hyperthyroidism

Question 5

How does Carbimazole treat hyperthyroidism?

Answer 5

By inhibiting the synthesis of thyroxine

Question 6

Name a drug used to treat hypocalcaemia

Answer 6

Calcium glucoronate (if kidney function is compromised)

Ergocalciferol
Calcitriol

Question 7

Name a drug used to treat hypercalcaemia

Answer 7

Alendronic acid

Calcitonin

Question 8

How does alendronic acid treat hypercalcaemia?

Answer 8

By slowing the rate of bone growth and turnover, which therefore prevents calcium loss from bones

Question 9

What are the categories of steroid drugs?

Answer 9

Endogenous hormones
Mineralocorticoids
Glucocorticoids

Question 10

Name a steroid used to treat adrenal insufficiency

Answer 10

Hydrocortisone

Question 11

Name a steroid used in acute asthma attacks

Answer 11

Prednisolone

Question 12

Name a glucocorticoid that is used to prevent rejection in transplant patients

Answer 12

Methylprednisolone

Question 13

Name a steroid that is used to treat central oedema

Answer 13

Dexamethasone

Question 14

Name a steroid that is used to treat asthma

Answer 14

Beclametasone

Question 15

Give some of the adverse effects associated with oral glucocorticoids

Answer 15

Excessive hair growth
Stunted growth
Poor wound healing
Muscle wastage
Osteoporosis
Hypertension
Moon face
Thinning of the skin
Increased abdominal fat 
Buffalo hump

Question 16

Why must the withdrawal of glucocorticoids be gradual?

Answer 16

If withdrawal is abrupt it can disrupt the negative feedback mechanism of acetylcholine/cortisol

This sends the patient into an addisonian crisis

Question 17

How does the combined pill work?

Answer 17

By inhibiting FSH and LH release from the anterior pituitary, which therefore inhibits ovulation

Question 18

What are the adverse effects associated with the combined pill?

Answer 18

Hypertension
Venous thromboembolytic disease

Increased stroke and heart attack risk in smokers and women over 35

Question 19

How does the mini pill work?

Answer 19

By altering the endometrium and the cervical mucous to prevent implantation

Question 20

Which drug is used as a contraceptive injection?

Answer 20

Medroxyprogesterone

Question 21

What is tamoxifen used for and how does it work?

Answer 21

Treatment of breast cancer

It is an oestrogen receptor antagonist, so reduces oestrogen levels

Question 22

Which drugs are used to induce labour or to reduce post-partum haemorrhage?

Answer 22

Oxytocin

Prostaglandins