Pituitary Drugs

Question 1

Cosyntropin

Answer 1

• Synthetic corticotropin
• Travels to adrenal cortex and stimulates secretion of cortisol
• Does the same thing as ACTH - targets adrenal gland, mediates adaptation to stress and starvation, promotes production of glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, androgens
• Used for diagnosis of adrenocortical insufficiency

Question 2

Menotropins

Answer 2

• Same pharmacological effects as FSH; many of the other gonadotropins also stimulate FSH
• FSH - stimulates oogenesis and follicular growth in females and spermatogenesis in males

Question 3

Somatropin

Answer 3

• Mimics growth hormone
• Stimulates anabolic processes
• Human growth hormone for treatment of hypopituitary dwarfism

Question 4

Octreotide acetate

Answer 4

• Antagonizes the effect of natural GH by inhibiting GH release
• A synthetic polypeptide structurally and pharmacologically similar to GH release–inhibiting factor (aka somatostatin); inhibits GH

Question 5

Mentropins, clomiphene citrate

Answer 5

• Increase LH levels and the chance of pregnancy
• LH - stimulates ovulation and estrogen release; stimulates interstitial cells to promote spermatogenesis and testosterone secretion

Question 6

Thyrotropin α

Answer 6

Increases the production and secretion of thyroid hormones

Question 7

Vasopressin

Answer 7

• Effects posterior pituitary
• Mimics the actions of ADH
• Vasoconstrictor (can be used for hypotensive emergencies)
  performs all the physiological functions of ADH

Question 8

Desmopressin acetate

Answer 8

A synthetic vasopressin

Question 9

Oxytocin

Answer 9

Targets mammary glands, stimulates ejection of milk, and contractions of uterine smooth muscle