Drugs Affecting the Endocrine System

Insulin

Insulin is the hormone produced by the pancreatic beta cells of the islets of Langerhans.

Antidiabetic Agents

Antidiabetic drugs are a group of drug structurally unrelated to sulfonylureas and are effective when used in combination with insulin or sulfonylureas.

Nursing Pharmacology

Sulfonylureas

Sulfonylureas is another group of agent used to control blood glucose level.

Nursing Pharmacology

The thyroid gland uses iodine to produce thyroid hormones that regulate body metabolism. Thyroid agents either replace or remove hormones to prevent deficiency and excess. Thyroid agents include thyroid hormones (T3, T4, TSH)and antithyroid drugs (further classified as thioamides and iodine solution).

Nursing Pharmacology

Pituitary Drugs

Drugs that affect anterior pituitary hormones mimic or antagonize the effects of specific pituitary hormones.

Nursing Pharmacology

Parathyroid Agents: Bisphosphonates, Calcitonins

Parathyroid agents are drugs used to treat disorders that affect serum calcium levels. This can be either antihypocalcemic agent or antihypercalcemic agent (further classified into bisphosphonates and calcitonins).

Nursing Pharmacology

Hypothalamic Agents

Hypothalamic agents can inhibit or stimulate the release of hormones from the anterior pituitary using hormones or factors. However, not all of these hormones are available for pharmacological use.

Nursing Pharmacology

Adrenocortical Agents

Adrenocortical agents are drugs used as short-term treatment to suppress immune system in patients with inflammatory disorders. They are also used for replacement therapy to maintain hormone levels when adrenal glands are not functioning adequately.