CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY AND
THERAPEUTICS
ENDOCRINE SYSTEM DRUGS
,Drugs and the endocrine system
The endocrine system consists of glands, which are specialized cell clusters, an
hormones, the chemical transmitters secreted by the glands in response to
stimulation.
A delicate balance
Together with the central nervous system, the endocrine system regulates and
integrates the body’s metabolic activities and maintains homeostasis (the body’
internal equilibrium).
The drug types that treat endocrine system disorders include:
• natural hormones and their synthetic analogues, such as insulin and glucagon
• hormonelike substances
• drugs that stimulate or suppress hormone secretion.
,Antidiabetic drugs and glucagon
Insulin, a pancreatic hormone, and oral antidiabetic drugs are classified as
hypoglycemic drugs because they lower blood glucose levels.
Glucagon, another pancreatic hormone, is classified as a hyperglycemic drug
because it raises blood glucose levels.
Low insulin leads to high glucose
Diabetes mellitus, known simply as diabetes, is a chronic disease of insulin
deficiency or resistance. It’s characterized by disturbances in carbohydrate, prot
and fat metabolism. This leads to elevated levels of the sugar glucose in the bod
The disease comes in two primary forms:
type 1, previously referred to as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
type 2, previously referred to as non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.
, Drugs and the endocrine system
Situations that can decrease glucose levels too much in patients with diabetes
include:
• an antidiabetic drug dosage that’s too high
• an increase in activity (such as exercise)
• noncompliance with drug therapy (for example, taking an antidiabetic
drug but not eating afterward).
THERAPEUTICS
ENDOCRINE SYSTEM DRUGS
,Drugs and the endocrine system
The endocrine system consists of glands, which are specialized cell clusters, an
hormones, the chemical transmitters secreted by the glands in response to
stimulation.
A delicate balance
Together with the central nervous system, the endocrine system regulates and
integrates the body’s metabolic activities and maintains homeostasis (the body’
internal equilibrium).
The drug types that treat endocrine system disorders include:
• natural hormones and their synthetic analogues, such as insulin and glucagon
• hormonelike substances
• drugs that stimulate or suppress hormone secretion.
,Antidiabetic drugs and glucagon
Insulin, a pancreatic hormone, and oral antidiabetic drugs are classified as
hypoglycemic drugs because they lower blood glucose levels.
Glucagon, another pancreatic hormone, is classified as a hyperglycemic drug
because it raises blood glucose levels.
Low insulin leads to high glucose
Diabetes mellitus, known simply as diabetes, is a chronic disease of insulin
deficiency or resistance. It’s characterized by disturbances in carbohydrate, prot
and fat metabolism. This leads to elevated levels of the sugar glucose in the bod
The disease comes in two primary forms:
type 1, previously referred to as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
type 2, previously referred to as non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.
, Drugs and the endocrine system
Situations that can decrease glucose levels too much in patients with diabetes
include:
• an antidiabetic drug dosage that’s too high
• an increase in activity (such as exercise)
• noncompliance with drug therapy (for example, taking an antidiabetic
drug but not eating afterward).
