Endocrine Drugs Quiz: Thyroid and Adrenal Unit 9.2

Increases metabolic rate, oxygen consumption, and body growth by boosting T3 and T4 levels.

Treatment for hypothyroidism, specifically myxedema (adult) and cretinism (child).

Lethargy, impaired memory, slow thinking, cold intolerance, dry skin, constipation, weight gain.

GI distress, tremors, nervousness, insomnia, weight loss, tachycardia, hypertension, palpitations, osteoporosis, thyroid storm.

Increased effects with anticoagulants, TCAs, vasopressors, decongestants; decreased effects with antidiabetic drugs & digoxin.

Take on an empty stomach, 30 minutes before meals.

Graves' disease or thyrotoxicosis, leading to increased T3 and T4 levels.

Tachycardia, palpitations, excessive perspiration, heat intolerance, nervousness, irritability, exophthalmos (bulging eyes), and weight loss.

Antithyroid drugs (inhibit hormone synthesis/release), subtotal thyroidectomy, or radioactive iodine therapy.

Reduces excessive thyroid hormone secretion in hyperthyroidism.

Increases anticoagulant effects and decreases effects of antidiabetics.

Parathyroid hormone deficiency, often linked to chronic kidney disease (CRF).

Calcitriol, a vitamin D analog that increases calcium levels.

Increases calcium absorption, decreases bone breakdown, and enhances kidney calcium reabsorption.

Fatigue, weakness, somnolence, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cramps, dizziness, drowsiness, anorexia; Risk for hypercalcemia, arrhythmias, and hypertension.

Characterized by Addison’s disease

Affects inflammatory responses and regulates carbohydrate, protein, and fat metabolism, as well as muscle and blood cell activities.

Treats inflammation, ulcerative colitis, glomerulonephritis, autoimmune disorders, drug reactions, anaphylaxis, asthma, and organ transplant rejection.

Nausea, diarrhea, abdominal distension, increased appetite, sweating, headache, flushing, mood changes, depression, cataracts, amenorrhea and other Cushing’s-like symptoms.

Promote sodium and water retention and potassium excretion, controlled by the renin-angiotensin system.

Treatment for adrenocortical insufficiency and Addison’s disease.

Avoid in allergies, psychosis, and fungal infections; use caution in diabetes, renal disease, CHF, MI, hypertension, osteoporosis, seizures, cataracts, glaucoma, or peptic ulcer disease.

Levothyroxine is used to treat hypothyroidism, a condition where the thyroid gland doesn't produce enough hormones.

Some signs of hypothyroidism include lethargy, memory impairment, slow thinking, cold intolerance, dry skin, constipation, and weight gain.

Levothyroxine can cause side effects like GI distress, tremors, nervousness, insomnia, weight loss, tachycardia, hypertension, palpitations, osteoporosis, and thyroid storm.

Levothyroxine should be taken on an empty stomach, about 30 minutes before meals.

Graves' disease is an autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks the thyroid, causing it to produce excessive thyroid hormones.

Symptoms of hyperthyroidism include tachycardia, palpitations, excessive perspiration, heat intolerance, nervousness, irritability, exophthalmos (bulging eyes), and weight loss.

Treatment options for hyperthyroidism include antithyroid drugs (to inhibit hormone production), surgery to remove part of the thyroid, or radioactive iodine therapy.

PTU reduces excessive thyroid hormone secretion in hyperthyroidism.

Common side effects of PTU include sore throat, rash, and fever.

Hypoparathyroidism is a condition where the parathyroid gland doesn't produce enough parathyroid hormone, leading to low calcium levels.

Calcitriol is used to treat hypoparathyroidism by increasing calcium levels in the body.

Calcitriol works by promoting calcium absorption from the gut, decreasing bone breakdown, and enhancing calcium reabsorption in the kidneys.

Side effects of Calcitriol can include fatigue, weakness, somnolence, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cramps, dizziness, drowsiness, and anorexia. In serious cases, hypercalcemia, arrhythmias, and hypertension can occur.

The adrenal glands produce hormones that regulate various bodily functions, including stress response, blood pressure, and metabolism.

Addison's disease is a condition where the adrenal glands don't produce enough cortisol and aldosterone.

Cushing's syndrome is a condition where the body produces too much cortisol.

Glucocorticoids, like cortisol, help regulate various bodily functions, including inflammation, metabolism, and stress response.

Mineralocorticoids, like aldosterone, regulate electrolyte balance by promoting sodium and water retention and potassium excretion.

Prednisone is a synthetic glucocorticoid, which means it mimics the actions of cortisol.

Prednisone is used for a variety of conditions, including inflammation, autoimmune disorders, allergies, asthma, and organ transplant rejection.

Common side effects of Prednisone include nausea, diarrhea, increased appetite, sweating, mood changes, cataracts, and Cushing’s syndrome-like symptoms.

Fludrocortisone is a synthetic mineralocorticoid used to treat adrenal insufficiency, particularly Addison's disease.

Fludrocortisone works by mimicking the actions of aldosterone, promoting sodium and water retention and potassium excretion.

Prednisone should never be stopped abruptly. The dosage needs to be gradually tapered off to prevent adrenal crisis.

Monitor vital signs, weight, lung sounds, electrolytes, blood sugar levels, signs of hypokalemia, and side effects.

Teach patients about the importance of gradual tapering, the side effects of the medication, the importance of monitoring blood sugar and electrolytes, and to report any unusual symptoms to their healthcare provider.