ENDOCRINE: Pituitary and Thyroid

ENDOCRINE
AGENTS

COMMON USES

WHAT I NEED TO KNOW AS A BRAND NEW

NURSE

Anterior Pituitary
Stimulant Drugs

Growth hormone replacement.

Indicated for the treatment of growth
failure due to growth hormone
deficiency, AIDS wasting syndrome
and short bowel syndrome.

*Contraindicated for treatment of growth failure after closure

of the epiphyseal plates.
* Common Adverse effects include: HA, hyperglycemia,
hypothyroidism, and ketosis.

Anterior Pituitary Inhibitor Inhibits growth hormone, promotes

fluid and electrolyte reabsorption.
Drugs
Octreotide (Sandostatin)
Indicated for the treatment of
Acromegaly and severe diarrhea and
flushing episodes associated with
metastatic tumors.

* Common adverse effects include: Dysrhythmias, heart

failure, HA, hyper and hypoglycemia, GI complaints, fatigue
and dizziness, cholelithiasis

Somatropin (Genotropin, Serostim,

Nutropin)

Posterior Pituitary Drugs

Desmopressin (DDAVP),
Vasopressin (Pitressin)

Indicated for the treatment of

Diabetes Insipidus and nocturnal
enuresis, normalizes urinary water
excretion.

* Antidiuretic hormone preparation

*Contraindicated in patients with DI that is caused by renal
disease as it can worsen fluid retention and overload
* Potent vasoconstrictor, use with caution in patients with
known coronary artery disease or hypertension, and in
patients at risk for hyponatremia or thrombi
* Monitor for signs and symptoms of water intoxication, ie:
HA, listlessness, drowsiness
* Monitor intake and output.

Thyroid Hormone
Replacement Drugs
T4 Replacement: Levothyroxine
(Levothroid, Synthroid),

Indicated for the treatment of

hypothyroidism, myxedema and
cretinism.

T3 Replacement:
Liothyronine (Cytomel, Triostat)

Anti-Thyroid Drugs
Methimazole (Tapazole),
Propylthiouracil (PTU)

Indicated for the treatment of

hyperthyroidism, Graves disease or
thyrotoxicosis.

Iodine

Indicated for the treatment of

hyperthyroidism to decrease the
vascularity of the thyroid gland.

Potassium Iodide (SSKI)

*Common adverse effects include insomnia and weight loss.

*Serious adverse effects include: hypertension, tachycardia,
and cardiovascular collapse.
*Contraindicated with known cardiovascular disease
* Monitor for thyrotoxicosis.
* Replacement for hypothyroidism is life-long.

*Most common adverse effects include rash and leucopenia

* Rare but serious adverse effects include agranulocytosis and
pancytopenia.
* Monitor CBC with differential and prothrombin time for
bone marrow suppression, monitor TSH levels
* Teach patient to report any unusual bruising or bleeding
* Teach patient to avoid shellfish and iodine products.

*Maximum effect after 15 days.

*Dilute and administer through straw after meals to prevent
teeth discoloration