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Endocrine Pharmacology

Endocrine pharmacology is organized by hormonal organ systems.

Each section links to physiology, pathophysiology, drug classes, and therapeutic strategy.

Diabetes & Glucose Regulation

Diabetes Pharmacology

1. Hypoglycemics (Increase Insulin Effect)

These agents increase insulin levels and carry hypoglycemia risk. Insulin Therapy

Rapid-Acting (Prandial)

Lispro (Humalog®, Admelog®)
Aspart (Novolog®, Fiasp®)
Glulisine (Apidra®)

Short-Acting

Regular Insulin (Humulin R®, Novolin R®)

Intermediate-Acting

NPH (Humulin N®, Novolin N®)

Long-Acting (Basal)

Glargine (Lantus®, Basaglar®, Toujeo®)
Detemir (Levemir®)

Ultra-Long Acting

Degludec (Tresiba®)

Sulfonylureas

Glipizide (Glucotrol®)
Glyburide (Diabeta®, Glynase®)
Glimepiride (Amaryl®)

Meglitinides

Repaglinide (Prandin®)
Nateglinide (Starlix®)

2. Anti-Hyperglycemics (Low Hypoglycemia Risk)

These agents improve glycemia without directly increasing insulin secretion.

Biguanides

Metformin (Glucophage®)

Thiazolidinediones (TZDs)

Pioglitazone (Actos®)
Rosiglitazone (Avandia®)

GLP-1 Receptor Agonists

Exenatide (Byetta®, Bydureon®)
Liraglutide (Victoza®, Saxenda®)
Dulaglutide (Trulicity®)
Semaglutide (Ozempic®, Wegovy®, Rybelsus®)

Dual GLP-1/GIP Incretin Agonists

Tirzepatide (Mounjaro®, Zepbound®)

Triple Incretin Agonists

Retatrutide (Investigational)

SGLT2 Inhibitors

Dapagliflozin (Farxiga®)
Empagliflozin (Jardiance®)
Sotagliflozin (Inpefa®)

Thyroid

Thyroid Pharmacology

Thyroid Hormone Replacement

Levothyroxine (Synthroid®, Levoxyl®)
Liothyronine (Cytomel®)
Liotrix (Thyrolar®)

Adrenal

Adrenal Pharmacology

Glucocorticoids

Prednisone (Deltasone®)
Hydrocortisone (Cortef®)
Dexamethasone (Decadron®)

Mineralocorticoids

Fludrocortisone (Florinef®)

Steroid Synthesis Inhibitors

Ketoconazole
Metyrapone

Pituitary

Pituitary Pharmacology

Dopamine Agonists

Cabergoline (Dostinex®)
Bromocriptine (Parlodel®)

Somatostatin Analogs

Octreotide (Sandostatin®)
Lanreotide (Somatuline®)

Growth Hormone Therapies

Vasopressin & Analogues

Desmopressin (DDAVP®)

Reproductive Endocrinology

Reproductive Pharmacology

Estrogen Therapy

Progesterone Therapy

Hormonal Contraception

Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERMs)

Tamoxifen (Nolvadex®)
Raloxifene (Evista®)

Antiandrogens

Spironolactone (Aldactone®)
Finasteride (Proscar®, Propecia®)

Bone & Mineral Metabolism

Bone & Mineral Pharmacology

Anti-Resorptive Agents

[[endocrine:bone:bisphosphonates|Bisphosphonates]]

Oral:

Alendronate (Fosamax®)
Risedronate (Actonel®)
Ibandronate (Boniva®)

IV:

Zoledronic Acid (Reclast®, Zometa®)
Pamidronate (Aredia®)
Ibandronate IV

Used in:

Osteoporosis
Paget disease
Hypercalcemia of malignancy
Bone metastases

[[endocrine:bone:rankl_inhibitors|RANKL Inhibitors]]

Denosumab (Prolia®, Xgeva®)

[[endocrine:serm:start|Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERMs)]]

Raloxifene (Evista®)

[[endocrine:calcitonin|Calcitonin]]

Salmon Calcitonin (Miacalcin®)

Rarely used today.

Anabolic / Bone-Forming Agents

[[endocrine:bone:pth_analogs|Parathyroid Hormone Analogs]]

Teriparatide (Forteo®)
Abaloparatide (Tymlos®)

[[endocrine:bone:sclerostin_inhibitors|Sclerostin Inhibitors]]

Romosozumab (Evenity®)

Vitamin D & Calcium Axis

[[endocrine:bone:vitamin_d|Vitamin D & Analogs]]

Nutritional:

Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3)
Ergocalciferol (Vitamin D2)

Active Forms:

Calcitriol (Rocaltrol®)
Paricalcitol (Zemplar®)
Doxercalciferol (Hectorol®)

Calcium Supplements

Hyperparathyroidism / CKD-MBD

[[endocrine:bone:calcimimetics|Calcimimetics]]

Cinacalcet (Sensipar®)
Etelcalcetide (Parsabiv®)

Phosphate Binders

Calcium-based:

Non-calcium:

Sevelamer (Renvela®)
Lanthanum (Fosrenol®)
Sucroferric Oxyhydroxide (Velphoro®)
Ferric Citrate (Auryxia®)

FGF23 Pathway

Burosumab (Crysvita®)