The Endocrine System Pharmacology

Question 1

antithyroid agents

Answer 1

Medication given to block production of thyroid hormones in patients with hypersecretion disorders

Examples: methimazole, Tapazole; propylithiouracil

Question 2

corticosteroids

Answer 2

Although the function of these hormones in the body is to regulate carbohydrate metabolism, they also have a strong anti-inflammatory action. Therefore they are used to treat severe chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Long-term use of corticosteroids has adverse side effects such as osteoporosis and the symptoms of Cushing’s disease. Also used to treat adrenal cortex hyposecretion disorders such as Addison’s disease

Examples: prednisone, Deltasone

Question 3

human growth hormone therapy

Answer 3

Hormone replacement therapy with human growth hormone in order to stimulate skeletal growth. Used to treat children with abnormally short stature

Examples: somatropin, Genotropin; somatrem, Protropin

Question 4

insulin

Answer 4

Administered to replace insulin for type 1 diabetics or to treat severe type 2 diabetics

Examples: human insulin, Humulin L

Question 5

oral hypoglycemic agents

Answer 5

Medications taken by mouth that cause a decrease in blood sugar; not used for insulin-dependent patients

Examples: metformin, Glucophage; glipizide, Glucotrol

Question 6

thyroid replacement hormone

Answer 6

Hormone replacement therapy for patients with hypothyroidism or who have had a thyroidectomy

Examples: levothyroxine, Levo-T; liothyronine, Cytomel

Question 7

vasopressin

Answer 7

Given to control diabetes insipidus and promote reabsorption of water in the kidney tubules

Examples: desmopressin acetate, Desmopressin; conivaptan, Vaprisol